Classical Sociological Theory
Name: Chow Ka Chun Simon; Ssid: 1155032615
Course Code: SOCI 3003 Classical Sociological Theories
Professor : Chan Hoi Man Tutor : Joanne Luk Date : 12th November, 2014 Mid-term Exercise
Topic: Discuss the meaning and significance of social fact. In your paper, discuss why the concept of your choice may be considered as important for understanding the works of the theorist concerned. In addition, you may also discuss the border significance of the concept in helping you to understand the nature of Modern Society and of Modern sociology.
Background and introduction
Social fact is the most important concept in mastering Durkheim’s theory because it is what Durkheim defined as the subject matter of sociology (Durkheim, 1972: 58). That is to say, general social phenomenon possesses the characteristics of a “social fact”. It defines the field of sociology and it is the foundation of understanding Durkheim’s theory. What follows afterwards is the methodology of investigation, which is still influential until present development of sociology. In the following, there will be some discussions about the meaning of social facts, its importance in understanding Durkheim’s theory as well as its importance in understanding the nature of Modern Society and of Modern sociology.
Durkheim was interested in investigating into the social order, and thus engaged in the study of society. He proposed the use of scientific method in understanding society, which is a pioneer in this field. In the past, people concern the idea of perfect society. For example, Durkheim wrote, “Plato was, aimed at discovering, not the laws of social existence, but the best form of society. He does not establish this principle as a law which societies actually follow” (Giddens, 1972 :58) Durkheim believed that there are certain mechanisms behind the society. At the same times, (19th century), as natural science yielded a great success, positivism engendered great influence in the academic world.
Course Code: SOCI 3003 Classical Sociological Theories
Professor : Chan Hoi Man Tutor : Joanne Luk Date : 12th November, 2014 Mid-term Exercise
Topic: Discuss the meaning and significance of social fact. In your paper, discuss why the concept of your choice may be considered as important for understanding the works of the theorist concerned. In addition, you may also discuss the border significance of the concept in helping you to understand the nature of Modern Society and of Modern sociology.
Background and introduction
Social fact is the most important concept in mastering Durkheim’s theory because it is what Durkheim defined as the subject matter of sociology (Durkheim, 1972: 58). That is to say, general social phenomenon possesses the characteristics of a “social fact”. It defines the field of sociology and it is the foundation of understanding Durkheim’s theory. What follows afterwards is the methodology of investigation, which is still influential until present development of sociology. In the following, there will be some discussions about the meaning of social facts, its importance in understanding Durkheim’s theory as well as its importance in understanding the nature of Modern Society and of Modern sociology.
Durkheim was interested in investigating into the social order, and thus engaged in the study of society. He proposed the use of scientific method in understanding society, which is a pioneer in this field. In the past, people concern the idea of perfect society. For example, Durkheim wrote, “Plato was, aimed at discovering, not the laws of social existence, but the best form of society. He does not establish this principle as a law which societies actually follow” (Giddens, 1972 :58) Durkheim believed that there are certain mechanisms behind the society. At the same times, (19th century), as natural science yielded a great success, positivism engendered great influence in the academic world.