Classical Sociology

Abstract

Classical sociology is the systematic study of human society and social life in its earliest period that led to its establishment as a scientific discipline. While Auguste Comte came up with the idea of a sociological science that eventually evolved into reality and Karl Marx provided insight into the dynamics of class conflict and social change, other scholars were more decisive in establishing sociology as an academic discipline. One of these was Herbert Spencer, who was important in popularizing the field, but two others – Émile Durkheim and Max Weber – emerged as the greatest masters of classical sociology.