Historical origins of sociology Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Historical origins of sociology - Essay Example Auguste Comte responded to the aftermath of the French Revolution and could see changes to society occurring with the coming of the Industrial Revolution. He is often credited as being the â€Å"father† of sociology. Comte sought to apply the scientific method and concepts of rationality which he defined as positivism to study human social forms. The field of sociology was formalized in the modern period by such thinkers as Emile Durkheim, Max Weber, and Karl Marx. East of these thinkers presented different theories that first sought to describe the way social and civic units were organized. These theories explained the importance of certain habits such as religion, aggression, or the way work was organized. In the West, Durkheim, Weber, and Marx are seen as the 'founders' of sociology as their theories, methods, and insights can still be used to understand and develop new concepts dealing with social phenomena today (Bilton et al, p. 5). But what is interesting is to raise th e question did sociology exist even before these thinkers arrived on the scene. Or if it didn't, what did it mean in other periods of history. Certainly there were thinkers who studied their societies at other periods of history, possibly in the same way that current thinkers study their societies. One can imagine an advisor to an Egyptian pharaoh saying to the king that the poor community should be organized in such and such a way. He may say that they should be next to bodies of water and arid land and as well to a military community. He would explain to the kind that the people who are currently paying the most taxes are the middle class and that they even recognize their responsibilities more to this one god than this other god. The king would ask why and the ancient Egyptian sociologist would then describe the history of the forefathers of that group of middle class people, to make it appear that their religion served certain needs which should be provided for. Durkheim, Weber, and Marx each studied the social organizations and the religions of various ancient societies. Also each of these thinkers eventually wrote works that were specialties and represented individual concentrations of each writer. For example, Durkheim wrote books on religion and also on suicide. Marx, of course is the most known of the thinkers. His work was more or less in economics and social theory that dealt with classes (Bilton et al, p. 100). Marx's partner, Engels wrote a books on the English working class. Weber's most famous book was The Protestant Ethnic and the Spirit of Capitalism", but he had also written on Roman medieval societies. Weber ventured outside his comfort themes to write about religion and Asian societies. He wrote about ancient Confucianism and Taoism. He also wrote on Hinduism and Buddhism. Durkheim and Marx also had studied different religions. Durkheim demonstrated the importance of religion in forming early societies and how some of its standard activitie s merged into civic activities. Durkheim’s theory of anomie, social deviance, today forms the basis for which many sociologists and criminologists build theories of social deviance and subcultures (Bilton et al, p. 386). His theories concerning the division of labor among growing societies help provide good understanding of Marx (who wrote before him) and other theorists. The early thinkers of western sociology were also familiar with economics. It was the changes which the Industrial Revolution had placed

Book Analysis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Book Analysis - Essay Example His efforts in the fight for the rights of different people gained him respect and admiration across the globe. This is the first ever written hypothetical book that highlights the plights that arose when Castro left office. The book explains the truth on the life of Che Guevara on his mission during his lifetime. Che Guevara went for an exile when his was in his revolutionary mission in Bolivia. Many thought he had passed on after he went missing during the period he was away in exile. Later he came back to the public face and fights for the good of the people as his main mission and aim. The book is a biography on the life and death of Che Guevera. Body This section highlights different thematic issues that surround this book. It is important to highlight that this themes will be explained in a vivid manner. I will also highlight different justifications for the themes and how they relate to the author and Che Guevara. Revolution Revolution is seen as the main theme. In the novel, the main theme that is clearly highlighted, and comes out clearly is Che Guevara’s fight for revolution. In the novel, the author talks much of Che Guevera in his mission as a revolutionist. He fought a guerilla type of warfare and his main target in the revolutionary mission was on the call for unity and fights against the racial discrimination on the country. In the novel, John Blackthorm has discussed the various conferences where Che was giving his speech on the call for unity in the country. Unity This book has highlighted the theme of unity. Unity is an aspect that has been stressed by the author. The author has connected this theme with Che Guevara in a better manner. Such issues have been explained in vibrant manner. Che was seen to unify different people in the fight for people’s rights. This book has noted that one of the instances where Che was calling on the unity of the people was in the international conference on the global disarmament and his message wa s that there should be unity among all the anti-colonialists and the imperialist’s movements and there should be a common cause between them and the community. Che worked closely with Castro in the role they undertook of fighting against individualism in the society. He rather encouraged unity and people to work as a whole unit in the state. In brief, it is true to note that Che Guavara has earned respect for his efforts in ensuring unity. Discrimination The book reveals clearly that Che worked for the benefit of the people and not a spy on the people. In the speeches that Che made in various conferences, He in many times wanted for free soviet help. In the partnership that Che made with Washington, this was for the strengthening of the economy of Cuba and against the Soviet Union. Che referred to the racial discrimination that led to the apartheid system in the country. In his speech, Che Guevera said, "How can countries that murder its own children and discriminates between them daily, because of the color of their skins and allows the Negroes murderers to go scot free. Actually protects them and punishes the Negroes for demanding for respect for their lawful rights as human beings, claim to be the guardian of liberty?" In the novel, the instances that remains unforgettable in my entire life. The first one is the case where the writer acknowledges the fruits