Introduction to Sociology
The Key Sociological Thinkers
Introduction to Sociology
The Key Sociological Thinkers
Are the ideas that reflect the interests of a particular class at a particular time in history, but which
contemporaries see as universal and eternal. Marx and Engels's point was not only that such
beliefs are at best half-truths; they serve an important political function. Put another way, the control
that one class exercises over the means of production includes not only the production of food or
manufactured goods; it includes the production of ideas as well (this provides one possible
explanation for why members of a subordinate class may hold ideas contrary to their own interests).
Religious distress was at the same time the expression of real distress and the protest against real
distress. Religion is the sigh of the oppressed creature, the heart of a heartless world, just as it is the
spirit of a spiritless situation. It is the opium of the people. Karl Marx, Contribution to the Critique of
Hegel's Philosophy of Right
Durkheims focus on solidarity is well manifested on his works (Suicide, 1897 and The Division of Labor in
Society,1893)
Introduction to Sociology
The Key Sociological Thinkers
Works:
The Division of Labor in Society (1893)
Mechanical Solidarity: Life is uniform, people are similar, and they share a common culture and sense of
morality. (e.g. rural communities)
Organic Solidarity: Division of labor is diverse, conflicting interests, common values might be present but
less obvious. High level of interdependence. (e.g. urban communities)
Altruistic suicide
Egoistic suicide
Fatalistic suicide
Anomic suicide
Introduction to Sociology
The Key Sociological Thinkers
Work/s:
The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism (1904, 1905)
Webers study that examines the relationship of religious ideas to economic activity
According to the new Protestant religion, having more hard earned cash is an indicator of Gods blessings.
Protestant sects (such as Lutheranism and Calvinism) follow the virtue of asceticism, I.e., hard earned
money should not be used for dissipation.
Charity encourages laziness and it prolongs poverty and suffering.
Calvinist notion of predestination
Reformation greatly affected the worldview of work.
Ideal type and embodiment of capitalist ethos: Benjamin Franklin
Weber also emphasized on the importance of rationality in the modern world-- that is, the modern world is
organized in more formal, legal, and predictable ways.
Introduction to Sociology
The Key Sociological Thinkers
Rationalization
Refers to the replacement of traditions, values, and emotions as motivators for behavior in society
with rational, calculated ones. For example, the implementation of bureaucracies in government is a
kind of rationalization, as is the construction of high-efficiency living spaces in architecture and
urban planning.
Legal Rational
Legal-rational authority is empowered by a formalistic belief in the content of the law (legal) or natural law
(rationality). Obedience is not given to a specific individual leader - whether traditional or charismatic - but a
set of uniform principles.