Discuss Marx’s theory of dialectical materialism in the contrast of Indian society. (200 words)
Sociology emerged in the 19th century driven by industrialization and social change. It is influenced by enlightenment, french revolution and industrial revolution, sociology solidified through movements like positivism, socialism and functionalism.Key figures include Auguste comte, Karl marx, EmileRead more
Sociology emerged in the 19th century driven by industrialization and social change. It is influenced by enlightenment, french revolution and industrial revolution, sociology solidified through movements like positivism, socialism and functionalism.Key figures include Auguste comte, Karl marx, Emile durkheim, Herbert spencer and Max weber.
Intellectual influences –
- Enlightenment thinkers like Rousseau, Voltaire and Kant promoted reason, science and critical inquiry in sociology.
- Philosophers like Hegel, Comte and Spencer influenced sociology with ideas on morality, society and human nature.
- Classical liberals like Adam Smith and John Stuart Mill shaped sociology with ideas on individualism.
Socio and Economic changes –
- Industrial Revolution brought urbanization, industrialization and capitalism transforming social structures and economic relationships drastically.
- French Revolution (1789) sparked social upheaval challenging traditional authority and promoting equality, liberty and democratic ideals.
- Rise of capitalism created new social classes, economic inequalities and consumer culture reshaping social relationships and institutions.
Scientific and Methodological advances –
- Positivism led by Auguste comte emphasized empirical observation, scientific method and quantitative data in sociology research.
- Statistics and demography enabled sociologists to analyze population trends, patterns and correlations quantifying social phenomena objectively.
- Evolutionary theory inspired by Charles Darwin influenced sociologists to study social change, progress and adaptation.
These historical antecedents converged to establish sociology as a distinct discipline focused on understanding social relationships, institutions and change. The first sociology departments emerged in the late 19th century with the University of Chicago (1892) and the London School of Economics (1895) among the pioneers.
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dialectical materialism, a philosophical approach to reality derived from the writings of Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels. For Marx and Engels, materialism meant that the material world, perceptible to the senses, has objective reality independent of mind or spirit. They did not deny the reality of mRead more
dialectical materialism, a philosophical approach to reality derived from the writings of Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels. For Marx and Engels, materialism meant that the material world, perceptible to the senses, has objective reality independent of mind or spirit. They did not deny the reality of mental or spiritual processes but affirmed that ideas could arise, therefore, only as products and reflections of material conditions. Marx and Engels understood materialism as the opposite of idealism, by which they meant any theory that treats matter as dependent on mind or spirit, or mind or spirit as capable of existing independently of matter. For them, the materialist and idealist views were irreconcilably opposed throughout the historical development of philosophy. They adopted a thoroughgoing materialist approach, holding that any attempt to combine or reconcile materialism with idealism must result in confusion and inconsistency.
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