Sociology and World History what can they contribute to each other?
Sociology’s contribution to world history has been both profound and vast. The weighty contribution of great sociological thinkers, from Ibn Khaldun and Auguste Comte to Emile Durkheim and Talcott Parsons have played a huge part in the development of societies, modern, ancient and connecting. It has played a huge part in the developing of legal systems and the studying of the functions of the mind including how and why people behave the way we do. While not all theorists agree, they have all played a huge part in modern day understanding of sociology and the evolution of sociological thinking.
Sociology is the study of human society, including both social action and organisation. Sociologists use scientific research methods and theories, and study social life in a wide variety of settings. Sociology offers us not only information but also a distinctive way of looking at the world and our place in it. Whereas most people try to explain events by analysing the motives of those involved, sociologists encourage us to look beyond individual psychology to the many recurring patterns in people’s attitudes and actions, and how these patterns vary across time, cultures, and social groups. Sociologists do not ask simply “What kind of person is Idi Amin?" Instead they ask "What kind of social conditions existed in Uganda which allowed him to rise to such power?" This study of patterns in society has been taking place throughout history, from as early as ancient Greece.
While ancient Greek thinkers such as Herodotus and Polybius are considered the earliest sociologists, the first real social writer is widely believed to me Ibn Khaldun. Generally accepted as the father of Sociology and the sciences of History, Ibn Khaldun developed one of the earliest nonreligious philosophies of history in his famous work, the Muqaddimah (1380). As well as the philosophies raised it also raised questions of social...