This document discusses the origins and foundations of social science. It traces social science back to ancient Greek philosophers like Plato and Aristotle who inquired into ethics, human nature, and the organization of societies and governments. These philosophers laid the groundwork for later disciplines like political science, anthropology, sociology and history. The document also examines 17th century thinkers like Hobbes, Locke, Montesquieu and Rousseau and their influential ideas about government, power, and social contracts between rulers and citizens.
5. It can be traced back to the
Ancient Greek philosophers who
inquired on the questions of ethics,
the nature of the person, society,
and the state.
These philosophers endeavored to
bring their insights into the nature
of societies and the development of
governments.
6. Plato
Human nature or the soul is a reflection
of society and how a society can achieve
harmony by creating classes or divisions.
Aristotle
Discussed how different types of
governments can be transformed into
something just or corrupt.
7. Herodotus
Paid particular attention to how the different
cultures of different societies converged and
diverged.
These became the foundations of social science
disciplines such as political science, anthropology,
sociology, linguistics, and history.
If it’s not for them who argued about human nature
and man’s place in the society, it is most likely that
social science would not be where it is today.
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15. Thomas Hobbes
Develop the idea that absolute
monarch are essential to enforce the
will of the people, but argued that the
monarch’s power came from the
people and not from divine right.
16. John Locke
Argued that the power of the
state to govern is a power given
by the people for the protection
of their inalienable rights.
17. Montesquieu
Developed the idea of government
having a system of checks and
balances, and called for the
separation of government powers into
the executive, legislative, and judicial
branches
18. Jean-Jacques Rousseau
Attempted to explain that a
social contract exists, which
enables a society to function
toward a general will or a
common good.
