The Emergence of Sociological Theory

by Jonathan H. Turner

• ISBN13: 9781452206240
• ISBN10: 1452206244
• Edition: 7th
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2011-11-23
• Publisher: SAGE Publications, Inc

Summary

Now published by SAGE, this scholarly text covers the first one hundred years of sociological theorizing, from 1830-1930, focusing primarily on Comte, Spencer, Marx, Weber, Simmel, Durkheim, and Mead. The text provides an in-depth examination of these early sociological theorists with biographical background, analysis of key works, major influences, critical insights, and also answers the question, "What do these ideas tell us about the basic forces that shape the social world?" Posing this question for each theorist adds a unique perspective to the text and distinguishes it from other sociological theory books. In addition, it also includes material on the enduring models and principles of the theorists' work that continue to inform sociological theory today.

Table of Contents

The Rise of Theoretical Sociology

The Enlightenment and New Ways of Thinking

Early Sociological Theory, 1830-1930

The First Masters

Conclusion

The Origin and Context of Auguste ComteâÇÖs Sociology

The Strange Biography of Auguste Comte

The Intellectual Origins of ComteâÇÖs Thought

Conclusion

The Sociology of Auguste Comte

ComteâÇÖs Early Essays

ComteâÇÖs Course of Positive Philosophy

Critical Conclusions

The Origin and Context of Herbert SpencerâÇÖs Thought

Biographical Influences on Spencerian Sociology

The Political Economy of ¡Nineteenth-Century England

The Scientific Milieu of SpencerâÇÖs England

SpencerâÇÖs Synthetic Philosophy and the Sociology of Comte

Why Read Spencer?

The Sociology of Herbert Spencer

SpencerâÇÖs Moral Philosophy: Social Statics and Principles of Ethics

SpencerâÇÖs First Principles

SpencerâÇÖs The Study of Sociology

a Note on SpencerâÇÖs Descriptive Sociology

SpencerâÇÖs Principles of Sociology

The Analysis of Societal Institutions

Critical Conclusions

The Origin and Context of Karl MarxâÇÖs Thought

Biographical Influences on MarxâÇÖs Thought

G. W. F. Hegel and Karl Marx

Ludwig Feuerbach and Karl Marx

Adam Smith and Karl Marx

Friedrich Engels and Karl Marx

The Sociology of Karl Marx

The German Ideology

The Communist Manifesto

Capital

Critical Conclusions

The Origin and Context of Max WeberâÇÖs Thought

Biographical Influences on WeberâÇÖs Thought

The Early Years

Karl Marx and Max Weber

The Methodenstreit and Max Weber

Wilhelm Dilthey and Max Weber

Heinrich Rickert and Max Weber

WeberâÇÖs Theoretical Synthesis

The Sociology of Max Weber

WeberâÇÖs Methodology of the Social Sciences

WeberâÇÖs Image of Social Organization

WeberâÇÖs Analysis of Domination

Weber on Capitalism and Rationalization

WeberâÇÖs Study of Religion

WeberâÇÖs Outline of the Social System

Critical Conclusions

The Origin and Context of Georg SimmelâÇÖs Thought

Biographical Influences on SimmelâÇÖs Thought

Intellectual Influences on SimmelâÇÖs Thought

The Enigmatic Simmel

The Sociology of Georg Simmel

SimmelâÇÖs Methodological Approach to the Study of Society

The Web of Group Affiliations

Conflict

The Philosophy of Money

Critical Conclusions

The Origin and Context of Ãëmile DurkheimâÇÖs Thought

Biographical Influences on DurkheimâÇÖs Thought

Charles Montesquieu and Durkheim

Jean Jacques Rousseau and Durkheim

Auguste Comte and Durkheim

Alexis de Tocqueville and Durkheim

Herbert Spencer and Durkheim

Karl Marx and Durkheim

Anticipating Durkheimian Sociology

The Sociology of Ãëmile Durkheim

The Division of Labor in Society

The Rules of the Sociological Method

Suicide

The Elementary Forms of the Religious Life

a Science of âÇ£MoralityâÇ 

Critical Conclusions

The Origin and Context of George Herbert MeadâÇÖs Thought

Biographical Influences on MeadâÇÖs Thought

MeadâÇÖs Synthesis of Schools of Thought

Wilhelm Wundt and Mead

William James and Mead

Charles Horton Cooley and Mead

John Dewey and Mead

MeadâÇÖs Synthesis

The Sociology of George Herbert Mead

MeadâÇÖs Broader Philosophy

Mind, Self, and Society

The Philosophy of the Act

Critical Conclusions

The Emergence of Contemporary Theoretical Perspective

Nine Theoretical Traditions and Perspectives

Conclusion

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