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Historical Context of the
Emergence of the Social
Sciences
AN EASY GUIDE TO UNDERSTANDING THE BEGINNINGS OF SOCIAL SCIENCE.
LANCE
Introduction to Social Sciences
 • Social sciences are the study of human society, behavior, and
relationships.
 • Examples: Sociology, Psychology, Economics, Political Science.
 • They help us understand how people live together and make society
function.
 Examples: Sociology (study of groups), Psychology (study of the mind),
Economics (study of wealth), Political Science (study of governments).
The Early Foundations
 • Long before social sciences were recognized as formal subjects,
people used philosophy and religion to explore society and human
nature.
 • Ancient philosophers like Plato and Aristotle asked big questions
about justice, ethics, and the best form of government.
 Example: Plato's *The Republic* explored justice and how society
should be organized.
 Plato (428-348 BC), an ancient philosopher, questioned the nature of
justice and what makes a good society.
 Aristotle (384-322 BC) examined how different governments worked
and the importance of balance in society.
The Rise of
Empirical
Study
• Empiricism: Knowledge
comes from observation,
experience and
experimentation.
• The Scientific Revolution
(16th-18th centuries)
showed the power of
evidence in discovery.
Example: Scientists like Galileo and
Newton used experiments and
observation to understand
nature, laying the groundwork for
social science research.
The Industrial Revolution (1700s-1800s)
 • The Industrial Revolution caused rapid technological and social
changes.
 • It created new problems like poverty, inequality, and overcrowded
cities.
 Example: As people moved to factories, social scientists started
studying how these changes affected society, such as labor rights
and working conditions.
 Cities grew rapidly, and people moved from farms to factories,
causing overcrowding and poor living conditions. Social scientists
began studying these changes to understand how people could live
better.
The Need for
Understanding Society
 • Industrialization led to new problems that
needed social solutions.
 • Social scientists asked: 'How does society
work, and what can be done to improve it?'
 Example: Sociologists like Comte studied social
order and how society adapts to change
caused by industrialization.
 Sociologists started studying how workers were
treated and how factory work affected families.
Early Social Science Thinkers
 Early thinkers began to apply logic and scientific methods to
understand society.
 Auguste Comte (1798-1857) believed that society could be
studied scientifically, just like nature. He is known as the father of
Sociology.
 Karl Marx (1818-1883) studied how the economy shapes society
and how the working class struggles against the ruling class.
 Example: Marx's *Communist Manifesto* (1848) argued that the
working class would rise up against capitalism due to exploitation.
Sociology Becomes a Discipline
 • Sociology is the study of society and human behavior.
 • Key thinkers: Comte, Marx, Max Weber.
 Example: Sociology helps us understand family dynamics, social
norms, and societal changes over time.
 Sociologists ask questions like, "Why do some people stay poor?" or
"What causes crime in certain areas?
 "Max Weber (1864-1920) examined the relationship between
religion and the economy, focusing on how ideas shape society.
The Development of Economics
Economics studies how
people use resources and
produce goods.
Economics became a formal
study because it helped
explain how money and
resources should be
managed.
Example: Smith's idea of the
'invisible hand' explained how
individuals acting in their own
self-interest can lead to social
benefits.
Adam Smith (1723-1790),
known as the father of
economics, explained how
markets work in his famous
book The Wealth of Nations.
He introduced the idea of the
"invisible hand," where people
acting in their self-interest can
help society as a whole.
Political Science Emerges
• Political Science studies
governments, laws, and
political behavior.
Political Science studies
government systems, laws,
and how power is
distributed.
Example: Locke's ideas
influenced the creation of
modern democratic systems,
like the U.S. Constitution.
John Locke (1632-1704)
argued that government
should protect people's
natural rights, like life, liberty,
and property. His ideas
influenced modern
democratic governments.
Anthropology:
The Study of
Cultures
• Anthropology studies human societies,
cultures, and their evolution over time.
• **Franz Boas** emphasized cultural
relativism, understanding cultures within their
own context.
Example: Franz Boas (1858-1942) studied
how different cultures developed unique
languages, customs, and beliefs.
Margaret Mead (1901-1978) studied the
cultures of Pacific Island communities and
showed how culture shapes behavior.
Psychology and
Human
Behavior
 • Psychology focuses on understanding
the human mind and behavior.•
**Sigmund Freud** (1856-1939)
developed psychoanalysis to
understand the unconscious mind.
 Example:Sigmund Freud (1856-1939) is
known for his work on the unconscious
mind and the theory of psychosexual
development.
 Carl Jung (1875-1961) expanded on
Freud’s ideas and introduced concepts
like the collective unconscious and
archetypes.
The Growth
of Social
Science
Research
• Social science research grew more
systematic and scientific.
• Methods like surveys, experiments, and
case studies helped collect data on society.
Example: Researchers used surveys to study
crime rates, poverty, and education,
providing insights into social issues.
Surveys, experiments, and case studies
became important tools to understand
human behavior and society.
Social
Science in
the 20th
Century
In the 20th
century, social
sciences
became more
formalized and
widely studied in
universities.
• New research
methods like
statistical analysis
and case studies
became
common.
Example:
Sociologists and
psychologists
used new
methods to study
social issues, such
as mental health
and inequality.
Social scientists
used data and
advanced
research
methods to study
things like crime
rates, poverty,
and education.
Global Influence of Social Sciences
• Social science research influenced government policies and global issues.
• **John Maynard Keynes**' economic theories helped shape policies during the
Great Depression.
Example: Economic theories influenced decisions like government intervention in
markets and social programs.
Economic theories from John Maynard Keynes helped shape government policies
during the Great Depression and World War II.
Social Science in Today’s World
• Today, social sciences continue to address modern issues like
inequality, climate change, and mental health.
• They use data analytics and new technologies to understand trends.
Example: Sociologists study the impact of social media on behavior,
while economists examine the effects of globalization.
Psychologists work to understand mental health issues, while sociologists
study the effects of social media on behavior.
The Role of
Social
Sciences in
Solving
Problems
 • Social sciences help solve real-world
problems like poverty, crime, and mental
health.
 • They provide data and solutions for
social issues.
 Example: Economists help design policies
to reduce unemployment, and
psychologists create treatments for mental
illnesses.
 Economics provides solutions to issues like
unemployment, and Sociology helps
address issues like homelessness.
Social Sciences and
Technology
 • Technology helps social scientists collect and
analyze data more efficiently.
 • **Social Media Analytics** and AI are used to
study human behavior.
 Example: Researchers use big data to understand
trends in voting, social behaviors, and public
opinion.
 Social Media Analytics is a modern method used
to study human behavior online and understand
social trends.
Conclusion
 • Social sciences help us understand how human societies work and
improve them.
 • They play a crucial role in addressing modern problems and shaping
better futures.
 Example: Social scientists guide policy makers to make decisions that
impact people's lives.
Thank You!
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