SOC100 Lecture Notes - Lecture 1: Microsociology, Macrosociology, Indian Act
Document Summary
Theorizing: reflecting on, interpreting, building something in our imagination before building it in reality. Sociological theory: abstract, symbolic representation of, and explanation of social reality - different ways to understand the world around us. Auguste comte: founder of sociology and positivism. Idea of nature - personified essences and abstractions: neither supernatural nor scientific. Positive: emergence of scientific laws explaining how, not why things worked - move away from causes and origins, emphasis on observable facts - use of reason, sociology epitomized the positive stage. Impact of her work - underestimated: harriet martineau: mother of sociology, wrote on women"s rights, labour rights, slavery, macro and microsociological thinker. Influential - broad social principles and values - compared them through observable facts - talking to people, compare. September 12th: sociology theory: harriet martineau, society in america, theory and practice of society, used official documents as theoretical basis (american constitution, declaration of independence)