Sociology originated as a term in the late 18th century, derived from Latin and Greek roots meaning "the study of companions." Four main factors led to the development of sociology as an academic discipline: (1) the French Revolution disrupted traditional social hierarchies; (2) the Industrial Revolution led many to migrate to cities and exposed new social problems; (3) increased travel exposed Europeans to different cultures; and (4) the success of Newton in explaining natural phenomena inspired applying scientific principles to understanding social phenomena.

1. Gautam Buddha University
Topic : Origin of Sociology
Name: Aaditya Vishen
Roll No: 13/ILB/005
Course : Sociology I
Course Code: LB205
Submitted to: Pro. Prakash Chandra Dilare

2. Origin of Sociology
• The Word “Sociology” is derived from both
Latin and Greek origins.
• The latin word: Socius means “ Companion”
and the Suffix “logy” means “the study of” , is
from Greek.
• It was coined in 1780 by the French essaist
Emmanuel Joseph in an unpublished
manuscript.

3. Four Factor led to the Development of
Sociology
• French Revolution
• Industrial Revolution
• Travel
• Success of Natural Science

4. French Revolution
During the French Revolution, which began in 1789,
France’s class system changed dramatically. Aristocrats
suddenly lost their money and status, while peasants,
who had been at the bottom of the social ladder, rose
to more powerful and influential positions.
In the case of sociology this central core, the nucleus of
all its speculation, is the concept of social group; and
any investigation of the origins of systematic sociology
is at bottom an inquiry into the social and intellectual
conditions which resulted in the appearance of this
concept .

5. Industrial Revolution
The Industrial Revolution followed on the heels
of the French Revolution, unfolding in
Western Europe throughout the 1800s. During
the Industrial Revolution, people abandoned a
life of agriculture and moved to cities to find
factory jobs. They worked long hours in
dangerous conditions for low pay. New social
problems emerged and, for many decades,
little was done to address the plight of the
urban poor.

6. The Industrial Revolution increased the
material wealth of humanity, especially
among the nations of the West. It increased
longevity and accelerated the growth of the
middle class. It helped to create the modern
world view that through the proper use of
science and technology, a more fruitful
quality of life could be achieved.

7. • Europe was changing from agriculture to factory
production
• Masses of people moved to the cities in search of
work
• In cities people met anonymity, crowding, filth,
and poverty
• Industrial Revolution challenged the traditional
order an opened the door for democratic changes
• Social changes undermined the traditional
explanations of human existence

8. Travel
• The Europeans had been successful in
obtaining colonies
• Their colonial empires exposed them to
radically different cultures
• Startled by these contrasting ways of life, they
began to ask questions why cultures differed

9. Success of Natural Science
• Newton’s laws explained the movement of
everything visible in the universe (from
planets to buildings)
• It seemed logical to discover the laws
underlying social phenomena

10. The End