1st Topic GENSOC .pdf

Princess Zyrah B. Dadivas 1st Topic: Origin of Sociology The origin of sociology is tied to the development of human societies, which evolved through various stages, each marked by distinct economic, political, and social structures. 1. Unorganized/Nomadic...

Princess Zyrah B. Dadivas 1st Topic: Origin of Sociology The origin of sociology is tied to the development of human societies, which evolved through various stages, each marked by distinct economic, political, and social structures. 1. Unorganized/Nomadic to Empire (Slavery): Agricultural surplus led to the rise of empires and social stratification based on slavery. (Scarcity) 2. Empire to Aristocracy (Feudalism): The collapse of centralized empires resulted in decentralized feudal systems, with land ownership and aristocratic hierarchy dominating. 3. Aristocracy to Bourgeois Democracy (Capitalism): The rise of commerce and industrial production empowered a new capitalist class, shifting power from the aristocracy to the bourgeoisie and establishing new political and economic systems. ——————————————————————————————————————— In Marxist theory, the concepts of base and superstructure are central to understanding how societies are organized and how they function. 1. Base: - The base refers to the economic foundation of society. It includes the forces of production (such as technology, tools, and resources) and the relations of production (such as class relations, labor arrangements, and ownership structures). Essentially, the base is made up of all the material and economic aspects that allow society to produce goods and services. 2. Superstructure: - The superstructure consists of all the cultural, ideological, and institutional aspects of society that are built upon the base. This includes legal systems, politics, religion, education, and media, as well as art and philosophy. - The superstructure serves to maintain and justify the base. Relationship between Base and Superstructure: - According to Marx, the base determines or shapes the superstructure. In other words, the economic conditions and relations of production in society shape its culture, politics, and institutions. - However, the relationship is not one-way. The superstructure also influences the base by maintaining the existing economic conditions and promoting the dominant ideology that keeps the economic system in place. 1  Princess Zyrah B. Dadivas ——————————————————————————————————————— Historical Materialism and Dialectical Materialism are key concepts developed in the framework of Marxist philosophy, particularly by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels. Both of these ideas relate to how societies develop over time and the forces that drive social and economic change. 1. Historical Materialism - Historical materialism is Marx's theory of history, which posits that material conditions— primarily economic factors— are the primary drivers of societal change. Marx and Engels believed that the ways in which societies produce and distribute material goods (modes of production) shape all other aspects of society, including politics, culture, and social relations. - Historical Materialism focuses on the material conditions and economic factors that shape society, highlighting the role of class struggle and the modes of production in driving historical change. Key Concepts: - Base and Superstructure - Class Struggle: Historical materialism emphasizes the conflict between different social classes as a central element of historical development. Throughout history, the ruling class (those who control the means of production) and the oppressed class (those who work for the ruling class) are in constant tension, leading to social revolutions and changes in the mode of production. - Stages of History: Marx identified different stages of history that correspond to different modes of production: primitive communism, slavery, feudalism, capitalism, and (theoretically) socialism. Each stage arises from the contradictions and tensions of the previous stage. 2. Dialectical Materialism - Dialectical materialism is the philosophical method underlying Marx's historical materialism. It borrows from Hegel's dialectics but inverts it. Whereas Hegel's dialectics focused on ideas and abstract concepts (the ideal driving history), Marx applied the dialectical method to material conditions. - Dialectical Materialism is the philosophical approach that explains how societal change occurs through the resolution of contradictions, using a dialectical process applied to material realities rather than ideas. Key Concepts: - Dialectics: This refers to a process of change through contradiction and resolution. In dialectical materialism, contradictions in society (such as class struggles) drive the process of historical change. - Thesis, Antithesis, Synthesis: In classical dialectical theory (from Hegel), a thesis (a starting idea or condition) encounters an antithesis (a conflicting idea or condition), 2  Princess Zyrah B. Dadivas and the resolution of this conflict results in a synthesis (a new condition). Marx applied this model to material conditions, such as economic systems. For instance, capitalism (thesis) creates a proletariat (antithesis), and the struggle between these leads to socialism (synthesis). - Materialism: Unlike Hegel, who focused on ideas, Marx emphasized that material conditions— real-world economic and social structures— are the driving force behind dialectical change. The contradictions within the economic base of society are what propel historical development. ——————————————————————————————————————— The French Revolution (1789-1799) had a profound impact on the development of sociology by reshaping ideas about society, authority, and social order. It brought radical social, political, and economic changes that challenged the traditional hierarchies of monarchy, aristocracy, and church. This upheaval led intellectuals to rethink the nature of society and human behavior, contributing to the birth of sociology as a discipline. Key points: 1. Social Structure and Change: The Revolution demonstrated that society could be transformed through collective action, challenging the view that social structures were fixed or divinely ordained. 2. Class Conflict: The Revolution highlighted the role of class struggle in social change. The conflict between the ruling class and the emerging bourgeoisie and working class became a central theme in later sociological theories, especially in Marxism. 3. Secularization: The weakening of the church's influence during the Revolution promoted the idea of secularism, leading sociologists to examine society through a scientific lens rather than a religious one. The Birth of Sociology - Auguste Comte, often regarded as the "father of sociology," coined the term "sociology" in the early 19th century. He sought to apply the scientific method to the study of society, aiming to understand the social order, change, and progress in light of the tumultuous political and economic changes of his time. - Karl Marx, Émile Durkheim, and Max Weber further developed sociology by focusing on the effects of capitalism, industrialization, and modernization on society. Marx concentrated on class conflict and economic inequality, Durkheim examined social cohesion and anomie (normlessness), and Weber analyzed authority, rationalization, and the impact of modern bureaucracy on individual freedom. - The origins of sociology were deeply tied to the transformation of Western society during the 18th and 19th centuries. The shift to a factory-based economy, the explosive growth of cities, and the rise of new political ideas about democracy and rights led to significant social upheaval. Sociology developed as an academic discipline to systematically study these changes and 3  Princess Zyrah B. Dadivas understand how they shaped modern social structures, institutions, and relationships. ——————————————————————————————————————— The origins of sociology as a distinct academic discipline in the 19th century were influenced by profound social and economic changes occurring across Europe. These changes shaped modern society, leading scholars to study them systematically and give birth to sociology. Three major factors that contributed to the development of sociology are: 1. Factory-Based Economy (Industrial Revolution) -Transition to industrialization: The rise of a factory-based economy during the Industrial Revolution (late 18th to early 19th century) significantly transformed how people worked and lived. Agrarian economies gave way to large-scale industrial production, which concentrated wealth and labor in urban areas. - Urbanization: The factory system prompted large-scale migration from the countryside to cities, leading to urban growth, overcrowding, and harsh working conditions. These developments prompted sociologists to study the effects of industrial capitalism on social cohesion, family structures, and community life. 2. Explosive Growth of Cities (Urbanization) - Migration and overcrowding: The rapid urbanization caused by industrialization resulted in the explosive growth of cities. The concentration of people in these urban spaces created challenges such as poverty, crime, and poor living conditions. - Social dislocation: The traditional social bonds of rural communities were disrupted as people moved into crowded urban environments. This led to new forms of alienation, social instability, and the breakdown of traditional norms. - Sociology’s response: The growth of cities introduced new social problems, such as housing shortages, disease outbreaks, and poor sanitation. Sociology emerged as a response to these problems, with an emphasis on studying the social dynamics of cities, social inequalities, and the effects of modern urban life on individuals. 3. New Ideas of Democracy and Political Rights - Enlightenment and political revolutions: The 18th century Enlightenment introduced new ideas about human rights, democracy, and political participation, which were further popularized by revolutions such as the American Revolution (1776) and the French Revolution (1789). These events challenged the old aristocratic and monarchical orders, calling for more egalitarian and democratic political structures. ——————————————————————————————————————— 4  Princess Zyrah B. Dadivas Auguste Comte, the founder of sociology, proposed the Law of Three Stages in human intellectual development. These stages reflect how societies and human thought evolve over time: 1. Theological Stage: In this early stage, people explain the world through religious beliefs and the idea that divine beings or gods control everything. Events and phenomena are attributed to supernatural forces. This stage is characteristic of primitive societies, where explanations rely heavily on myths and religious authority. 2. Metaphysical Stage: In this transitional stage, abstract philosophical reasoning begins to replace supernatural explanations. People explain the world through philosophical concepts such as "nature" and "essence," but these explanations are still not grounded in scientific observation. It is a period of questioning traditional religious views but not yet fully embracing science. 3. Positive (Scientific) Stage: In this final stage, society relies on scientific reasoning, observation, and empirical evidence to understand the world. People seek to explain phenomena through laws and facts derived from the scientific method. This stage marks the birth of sociology and the belief that human behavior and societies can be studied objectively, much like the natural sciences. 5