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Contribution of Comte, Spencer and Durkheim to study of society

Table of Content 1 Introduction .......................................................................................................................... 1 2 Positivism ............................................................................................................................. 2

3 Critical on Contribution of Positivism to Study of Society Philosophy .............................. 5 4 Conclusion ........................................................................................................................... 6 Reference.................................................................................................................................... 8

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1 Introduction The positivist investigation approach in the social sciences turns to be more significant by

August Comte, who was likely to establish a tactic basing on facts instead of assumption. For Comte, the social sciences had better focus on laws of sciences instead of observation (Comte, 1998). This hypothetical viewpoint goes on being the current hypothesis of investigation implementation. This writing gives the argument that the growth of social science and sociology has been sped up by positivism. Going throughout theories of the early thinkers, Comte, Spencer and Durkheim focusing on their contributions to the study of society, this study provide critical discussion on these viewpoints.

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2 Conclusion The initial section of this writing will give the analysis of the historical base of positivism and

later give the examination of its devotions to social science investigation, which comprise the creation of means of social investigation that are established basing on naturalism, offering a large extent of power and decency to the social sciences and ultimately offering an available method of assessment and swapping of understanding between other regulations for example law, philosophy and literature. Nonetheless, there is as well the argument in this writing that there happens to be some outstanding limitations to positivism. Firstly, it is too impractical for its seeking for complete qualities of scientific tactic in comparison to the excessive complication of

social phenomena; the next weak point is positivisms shortage of contemplation of the particular, personal and analytical sides of social phenomena. This document is provided by: VU Thuy Dung (Ms.) Manager

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Reference Baumgardner, S. R. (1977). Critical studies in the history of social psychology. Personality and

Social Psychology Bulletin, 3(4), 681-687. Biersteker, T. J. (1989). Critical reflections on post-positivism in international relations.

International Studies Quarterly, 263-267. Comte, A. (1998). Auguste Comte and positivism: the essential writings. G. Lenzer (Ed.).

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Durkheim, E., Spaulding, J. A., & Simpson, G. (1897). Suicide. SimonandSchuster. com. Feigl, H. (1934). Logical analysis of the psychophysical problem: A contribution of the new

positivism. Philosophy of Science, 1(4), 420-445. Greene, J. C. (2000). Biology and social theory in the nineteenth century: Auguste Comte and

Herbert Spencer. Herbert Spencer: Critical Assessments, 2, 203. Halfpenny, P. (1982). Positivism and sociology: explaining social life. London: Allen & Unwin. Mill, J, S. (2008). Auguste Comte and Positivism. New York: Cosimo. Mill, J. S., & Comte, A. (1995). The Correspondence of John Stuart Mill and Auguste Comte.

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Parsons, T. (1967). Durkheims contribution to the theory of integration of social systems. Sociological Theory and Modern Society, 3-34.

Pickering, M. (2009). Auguste Comte: Volume 2: An Intellectual Biography (Vol. 2). Cambridge University Press.

Ritzer, G., & Smart, B. (Eds.). (2001). Chapter 3: The Origins of Positivism: The Contributions of Auguste Comte and Herbert Spencer. Handbook of social theory. Sage.

Sjolander, C. T., & Cox, W. S. (Eds.). (1994). Beyond Positivism: Critical Reflections on International Relations. Lynne Rienner.

Smith, M. (2003). Social Science in question. London: Sage. Spencer, H. (1880). First Principles (1862). NY: AL Burt. Spencer, H. (1892). The principles of ethics (Vol. 1). D. Appleton and company. Spencer, H. (1968). Reasons for dissenting from the philosophy of M. Comte: and other essays.

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1 Introduction2 ConclusionReference