Historical Context of Social Science Disciplines PDF
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This document provides a broad overview of social sciences disciplines by detailing their historical context. It traces the roots of various disciplines mentioning key figures like Aristotle and others. The document also summarizes the development of these fields touching upon concepts like cultural anthropology and economic theory, among others.
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Quarter 1: Module 3/Week 3 1 Semester st HISTORICAL CONTEXT OF THE EMERGENCE OF SOCIAL SCIENCE DISCIPLINES Content Standard : The learner demonstrates an understanding of the key concepts and...
Quarter 1: Module 3/Week 3 1 Semester st HISTORICAL CONTEXT OF THE EMERGENCE OF SOCIAL SCIENCE DISCIPLINES Content Standard : The learner demonstrates an understanding of the key concepts and approaches in the Social Science. Performance Standard : The learner is able to interpret personal and social experiences using relevant approaches in the Social Sciences and evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the approach. Learning Competency/ies : Trace the historical foundations and social contexts that led to the development of each discipline. (HUMSS_DIS11- IIId-4) DEFINITION OF SOCIAL SCIENCE Social Sciences are mental or cultural sciences which deal with the Accdg. to Seligman activities of the individual as member of the group. Relationship of man to the society. Loosely applied to any kind of study concerning man and society. It Accdg. to Mitchell involves scientific method to the study of the intricate and complex network of human relationship. Is a general term for all the sciences which are concerned with the Accdg. to Fairchild human affairs. Are concerned with the laws that govern society and social Accdg. to Peter Lewis development of man. MAJOR EVENT AND CONTRIBUTION OF SOCIAL SCIENCE DISCIPLINES 1. Anthropology Origin: Traces its roots to Ancient Greek writings. Anthropology began with early Greek thinkers who wrote about human nature and how societies are organized. Ancient philosophers like Aristotle discussed how people live together and form societies. 2. Economics Development: Evolved through different eras: Pre-classical (384 B.C - 1776), Classical (1776 - 1871), Neoclassical (1871 - today), and Islamic Economists. Modern economics is built on ideas developed over centuries by economists from different periods, and we still study these ideas today. Concepts like supply and demand were explored by Classical and Neoclassical economists, shaping how we understand markets now. 3. Geography Early Studies: Some of the first geographical studies occurred over 4,000 years ago, primarily for mapping new lands. Geography started when ancient civilizations like the Chinese and Egyptians mapped the places they explored, helping them understand the world around them. The oldest known map, found on a Babylonian clay tablet, dates back to 2300 BC. 4. Linguistics Speech Communities: Language reveals group membership through word choice, syntax, and pronunciation. People who speak in a certain way belong to a speech community, and their language use can show their social identity. Different regions may have distinct dialects, like British English vs. American English. 5. Political Science Historical Development: Between the late 1950s and mid-1980s, the field of political science became less focused on history. Political science has evolved over time, with earlier political scientists often taking a more historical approach to understanding politics. Early political studies were closely tied to history, but modern political science looks at current systems and ideas. 6. Psychology Founding: Wilhelm Wundt established the first experimental psychology lab, marking the start of psychology as a scientific discipline. Psychology became a recognized field of study when Wilhelm Wundt created a lab to study the mind scientifically. Wundt’s students, like G. Stanley Hall, went on to become important figures in psychology. 7. Sociology Emergence: Sociology, though influenced by ancient philosophers, became an academic discipline in the 19th century in response to modern challenges. Sociology developed as a way to study and understand the changes and issues of modern society. Early sociologists like Auguste Comte studied how industrialization affected social relationships. 8. Demographic Transition Model (DTM) Concept: The DTM explains how birth and death rates influence population growth as a country develops. The model shows that as countries develop economically, their population growth goes through different stages, based on changes in birth and death rates. In the early stages, both birth and death rates are high, leading to slow population growth; in later stages, both rates drop, stabilizing the population. FOUNDERS OF DIFFERENT SOCIAL SCIENCE DISCIPLINES 1. Anthropology: Edward Burnett Taylor (1832 - 1917) English cultural anthropologist Coined the term “culture” Wrote “Researches into the Early History of Mankind and the Development of Civilization" 2. History: Herodotus (484 B.C - 425 B.C) According to Mark, 2018 Greek Historian Treated historical subjects as a method of investigation Collected historical materials systematically and critically and arranged them into a historical narrative. Wrote “Histories” which is the record of ancient traditions and culture of Greece, Asia and Africa. 3. Economics: Adam Smith (1723 - 1790) According to Butler, 2016 Founder of Classical School Constructed an explanation on how social behavior is regulated Saw a world where each person sought their own self - interest but was constrained by morality, markets and government Wrote “Wealth of the Nations” in 1776 4. Geography: Eratosthenes (276 B.C - 194 B.C) According to Russell, 2017 Greek geographer Became chief librarian at the Library of Alexandria Accepted the concept that the Earth is round and calculated its circumference to within 0.5 percent accuracy Described the known areas of the world and divided the earth into five climatic regions Prepared the earliest maps of the known world 5. Linguistic: Ferdinand de Saussure (1857 - 1913) According to Mambrol, 2018 Swiss linguist Posited that linguistic form is arbitrary and therefore that all languages function in a similar fashion Published “Memoire sur le systeme primitifdes voyelles dans les langues indo-europeenes.” 6. Political Science: Aristotle (384 - 322 B.C) According to Neonatal, 2016 Political scientist Laid down the foundation of governance and leadership He said “man by nature is a political animal”. He wrote “The Politics”. 7. Psychology: Wilhelm Wundt (1832 - 1920) According to McLeod, 2008 German Psychologist Opened the Institute for Experimental Psychology at the University of Leipzig in Germany in 1879 Trained Psychology students to make observations that were biased by personal interpretation or previous experience and used the results to develop a theory of conscious thought Wrote “Principles of Physiological Psychology.” 8. Sociology: Auguste Comte (1798 - 1857) According to Lyudmila, 2000 French sociologist Coined the term “sociology” Advocated the application of scientific method to social life and positivism. Wrote “Cours de Philosophie Positive” published from 1830 - 1842 in five volumes. Table 1: Historical Foundation of Each Discipline Discipline Historical Foundation Origins: Rooted in natural history, which studies plants, animals, and humans in relation to their environment. Discovery and Exploration: European explorers' contact with new civilizations sparked curiosity about these people, their ancestors, and cultures. Anthropology Development: Became a formal social science in the 19th century. Anthropology started from studying nature and human history. When Europeans met new cultures, they wanted to understand how these people lived and how they were different or similar to others. In the 1800s, anthropology became a proper academic field. Early Study: Originally studied from religious or sacred perspectives during the Medieval and Renaissance periods. Modern Shift: In the 20th century, historians moved towards more objective analyses of social and intellectual forces, rather than just glorifying nations or leaders. History Digital Era: The field now uses computer technology to explore new questions and create digital histories. History was first viewed through religious lenses. Over time, historians began to study events more objectively and use technology to uncover new insights and present historical data. Development: Became a separate discipline in the 19th century. Early Inquiry: Ancient Greeks debated wealth and property distribution; medieval scholars discussed fair pricing. Evolution: Economic thought evolved with changes in the economy and Economics influenced economic policies. Economics became its own field in the 1800s. Early discussions included how wealth should be managed and fair pricing, and economic ideas have continued to change as economies evolve. Curiosity: Studied out of natural curiosity about different places and cultures. Ancient Greeks: Made early contributions by mapping the Earth with Geography grids. People studied geography to learn about other places and cultures. The Ancient Greeks were among the first to map the Earth and study its features. Early Texts: First linguistics texts were created by the Babylonians (Sumerian) and Hindus (Vedas). Formal Study: Began in India with detailed rules for Sanskrit. Linguistic Western Interest: Initially part of philosophy before becoming a separate field. Linguistics started with ancient texts and rules about language. It began formally in India and was initially part of philosophical studies in the West. Early Study: Originally part of history, philosophy, law, and economics. Ancient Greeks: Studied the state and politics around 500-300 B.C. Development: Early political leaders had roles similar to modern states. Political Science Political science was once linked with other fields. The Ancient Greeks were among the first to study politics and government, and early leaders had roles similar to today’s state officials. Ancient Roots: Traced back to Greek philosophy and religion. Separation: Over time, psychology and physiology split into phenomenological (experimental) and mechanistic (physiological) Psychology approaches. Psychology started with ancient Greek philosophy and religion. It later divided into two main approaches: one focusing on experiments and the other on physiological aspects. Revolutions: Developed during the 19th century due to intellectual, scientific, and industrial revolutions in Europe. Social Changes: The revolutions brought new perspectives and social Sociology issues, leading to the study of social phenomena. Sociology emerged in the 1800s as Europe underwent significant changes. These changes led people to study and understand social issues and the new perspectives on society. SOCIAL SCIENCES THEORIES AND FRAMEWORKS A THEORY is a set of principles or concepts and generalizations so arranged that they explain and predict possible relationships among phenomena. One such theory in social sciences is the THEORY OF EVOLUTION which assumes that the changes in society are uniformly based on fixed rules. Scientific evidence shows that there has been change in the physical and behavioral traits shared by all people. This theory is associated Charles Darwin, Auguste Comte, Herbert Spencer and Karl Marx. FUNCTIONALISM stipulates that mental states are identified by what they do rather than by what they are made of. This can be understood by thinking about artifacts like mousetraps and keys. PSYCHOANALYSIS is a set of psychological and psychotherapeutic theories and associated techniques. This was created by Austrian physician Sigmund Freud and stemming partly from the clinical work of Josef Breuer and others. Society has two faces: consensus and conflict. The CONFLICT THEORY shows the role of coercion and power in producing social order. This perspective is derived from the works of Karl Marx who saw society as fragmented into groups that compete for social and economic resources. The CONSENSUS THEORY, on the other hand, states that social change should occur in institutions that are provided by a political or economic system and the absence of conflict within society is the state of equilibrium. FOUNDING FATHERS OF SOCIAL SCIENCES THEORIES AND FRAMEWORKS 1. Charles Darwin Theory of evolution Influenced psychology by providing a biological perspective on human behavior o The Theory of Evolution is the idea that all living things, including humans, have changed and developed over long periods of time from simpler forms of life. It explains how species adapt to their environment and how new species arise through a process called natural selection, where the traits that help survival are passed on to future generations. 2. Herbert Spencer Evolutionary theory of social change Applied "survival of the fittest" to societies, contributing to social Darwinism o Survival of the Fittest is a concept from evolutionary theory that suggests that in nature, only the organisms best adapted to their environment survive and reproduce, while those less adapted tend to die off. It means that the strongest or most capable individuals are more likely to pass on their genes to the next generation. Example: In a forest, there are deer with varying speeds. If predators like wolves start hunting the deer, the faster deer are more likely to escape and survive, while the slower ones may get caught. Over time, the population of deer might evolve to be faster on average because the slower deer are less likely to survive and reproduce. Imagine two groups of people living in a harsh, cold environment. One group has developed strong skills in building warm shelters and making clothes from animal skins, while the other group hasn't adapted as well and struggles to stay warm. Over time, the group with better survival skills is more likely to thrive, have children, and continue their community. The other group, less suited to the environment, may have a harder time surviving and could diminish in number. 3. Émile Durkheim Father of sociology Developed functionalism Introduced key concepts like social facts, collective conscience, and anomie 4. Karl Marx Defined communism Introduced theories of class struggle Historical materialism and the critique of capitalism o Communism is a system where all property is owned by the community or the state, and everyone is supposed to share the wealth equally. The idea is to eliminate class differences, where there are no rich or poor, and everyone works for the common good. 5. Sigmund Freud Father of psychoanalysis; linked human behavior to the unconscious mind Developed concepts of id, ego, and superego. o The concepts of id, ego, and superego are parts of Sigmund Freud's theory of personality: Id: The id is the most basic part of our personality. It's the source of our instinctual desires, like hunger, thirst, and aggression. The id operates on the "pleasure principle," meaning it wants immediate gratification. Example: Imagine you're very hungry and see a piece of cake. The id would say, "Eat the cake now!" Ego: The ego is the part that deals with reality. It tries to satisfy the id’s desires in a way that’s realistic and socially acceptable. The ego operates on the "reality principle." Example: In the cake situation, the ego might say, "You can eat the cake, but after you finish your work." Superego: The superego is the part that represents moral standards and ideals. It’s like your conscience, telling you what is right and wrong. It’s the “morality principle.” Example: The superego might say, "You shouldn't eat the cake because it's unhealthy, and you promised to stick to your diet." Id wants instant pleasure. Ego finds a realistic way to satisfy the id. Superego tries to enforce moral standards. 6. Bronisław Malinowski Founder of modern anthropology Developed participant observation Introduced functionalism in cultural practices. 7. Edward Burnett Tylor Father of cultural anthropology Defined culture Introduced the concept of cultural evolution o According to Edward Burnett Tylor, culture is defined as: "That complex whole which includes knowledge, belief, art, law, morals, custom, and any other capabilities and habits acquired by man as a member of society." In simpler terms, Tylor saw culture as everything that makes up the way of life of a group of people. It encompasses: Knowledge: What people know and understand. Beliefs: The values and ideas people hold. Art: Creative expressions and achievements. Law: Rules and regulations governing behavior. Morals: Standards of right and wrong. Customs: Traditions and practices. Culture is learned and shared within a society, shaping how people live and interact. DEVELOPMENT OF SOCIAL SCIENCES FROM 1750 TO THE 20TH CENTURY 1. 1750: Early Foundations The Study of Man and Society: o Key Publications: ▪ Thomas Hobbes: Leviathan - Discussed social contract theory and the nature of human society. ▪ John Locke: Two Treatises on Government - Explored theories of government and individual rights. ▪ Giambattista Vico: New Science - Introduced ideas on the development of human societies. ▪ Montesquieu: Spirit of Laws - Examined the impact of laws on society and government. Around 1750, important works were published that explored human nature, society, and government. These writings laid the groundwork for modern social science. 2. 18th Century Development Revival of Interest: o Social Changes: ▪ Capitalism: Began to expand significantly. ▪ Urbanization and Population Growth: Increased rapidly, leading to new social issues. ▪ Emergence of Social Problems: Issues like slums, alcoholism, and harsh social conditions became apparent and needed reform. Scientific Contributions: o Auguste Comte: Coined the term "sociology" and established it as a discipline. o Montesquieu and Voltaire: Advanced new perspectives in politics and history. In the 18th century, there was renewed interest in studying society due to rapid changes and problems. Auguste Comte created the term "sociology," and other thinkers like Montesquieu and Voltaire made significant contributions to politics and history. 3. 19th Century Development Establishment of Social Science: o Firm Position: Social science became well-established and respected in leading European countries. o Auguste Comte’s Influence: His ideas gained acceptance. o Karl Marx: Developed the first general theory of social science, focusing on class struggles and economic systems. By the 19th century, social science had become an important and respected field. Auguste Comte's ideas were widely accepted, and Karl Marx introduced significant theories about society and economics. 4. 20th Century Development Institutionalization and Research: o Advanced Research: Social science became a well-established academic field with specialized research. Five Key Developments: 1. Engagement with Natural Science: Many scholars applied methods from natural science to social science. 2. Beyond Fact-Finding: Social science evolved beyond just gathering facts. 3. Methodological Dichotomy: The emergence of different approaches, including Max Weber’s "hermeneutic" or "phenomenological" perspectives. 4. Independent Economics: Economics began to develop its own distinct path. 5. Knowledge vs. Values: Max Weber emphasized the distinction between social science knowledge and personal values. In the 20th century, social science became a major field of study. Researchers applied scientific methods, explored new approaches, and made distinctions between knowledge and values. Economics also evolved as a separate discipline.