Ideology, History, & Classical Social Theory ► What is a theorist? ► Observes ► Seeks order

Why are theories created? Need Impose order Prediction & control

Theories Vary & Change Same experiences can be theorized in different ways Examples: Greek understanding of human body & personality Earth as center of universe Other examples?

The Universe During the first few centuries B.C. Greeks described the first realistic model of the universe: Earth in the center (sphere) Concentric spheres with the sun, moon, Mars, and Venus On the outer sphere, were the stars

Earth at the Center

What is a Social Theory? Definition: A body of organized, verifiable ideas developed to explain various aspects of society & social behavior. Explains how & why specific facts are related Creates order Make sense of the world & our place in the world.

The Development of Social Theory Historical Context French Revolution (1789) to WWI 1919 Dramatic Changes Economic Social Political

The Development of Social Theory Change in Ideas How people saw & made sense of the world Change after decades of little change Cause of social change Importance of religion

Ways of thinking about Change God’s will Linear (progress) Cyclical

Linear Change

Thrive Decline Rise Cyclical Change

8/28 Social theory to deal with: Change after stability Widespread change Uncertainty about the future Examples: Class conflict Loneliness in cities Social disorganization

Enlightenment 17 th & 18 th c. Reason can create a better world by eliminating: Ignorance Superstition Tyranny

The Enlightenment Principal targets: Religion (Catholic Church) Hereditary aristocracy

The Enlightenment Ways of knowing Ideology Reason Science

Ideology Justifies existing social arrangements Value-laden Examples: “Divine right of kings” Racism Sexism

Reason All knowledge discovered through rational processes Universe operates on “laws” Humans have: Free will Intelligence Control destiny & environment

Science Scientific methods Guidelines for gathering & interpreting information Value free

Saint-Simon ( )

Social Environment French social philosopher American Revolution Served on side of colonists French Revolution Made a fortune in land speculation Increasing industrialization The Enlightenment

Ideas Promoted study of nature Nature & society governed by laws Reorganization of society Organized by wise men Based on scientific division of labor Spontaneous social harmony

Ideas State’s 3 responsibilities 1.Public works 2.Free education 3.Uplifting recreation

Ideas “Industrial army” Construction of roads, bridges, canals, planting forests Organism as metaphor for society Science-> replace religion

“Saint-Simonianism” After Saint-Simon’s death Small group of follower’s organized calling for: Abolition of inheritance rights Public control of means of production Gradual emancipation of women Became a moral-religious cult Sociologists as high priests*

August Comte ( )

Social Environment Social Upheaval Series of governments: Democratic Oligarchy of middle-class elites Dictatorship of Napoleon ( ) Return to Bourbon monarchy His parents liked the monarchy Economic problems Religious turmoil

Goals for Sociology Create order Unified spiritual order Social & political stability to France View of society=Organic Society’s basic unit is the family Not the individual Family is emotional & moral union

Goals for Sociology Social & political problems improved by science Diagnosed & cured like human diseases Natural laws Explain stability & change Sociology Replace Roman Catholic Church as source Truth, Understanding, and Order *

Herbert Spencer 29

30 Herbert Spencer Religious / political / philosophical background Laissez-faire economics

31 Herbert Spencer His book Social Statics: Human happiness Achieved only when individuals Can satisfy their needs and desires Without infringing on the rights of others To do the same.

32 Herbert Spencer “Society is akin to a special organism obeying its own laws of progress.” The natural order of all societies is one of hierarchy.

33 Herbert Spencer Almost a decade before Darwin published On the Origin of Species, Spencer coined the phrase “survival of the fittest.” *