Introduction

• Sociology is a relatively new science, emerging as a distinct discipline in the first half of the 19th century.
• Its roots trace back to Greek and Roman philosophy but became a separate discipline due to the French and industrial revolutions.
• Earlier, History, Economics, Political Science, and Philosophy addressed societal issues.
• The complexity of social life necessitated a separate discipline to study society.
• The 18th century European social, economic, political, and intellectual background facilitated sociology’s emergence.
• The Enlightenment period (14th to 18th century) and the French revolution of 1789 were crucial in its development.
• The industrial revolution in England brought significant changes to society, prompting the need for sociology.
• Auguste Comte, a French philosopher, coined the term sociology in 1839 and is considered a pioneer in the field.
• Comte’s “Positive Philosophy” highlighted the need for a distinct science of society, initially called “Social Physics” and later “Sociology”.
• Sociology is defined as the scientific study of social relationships, life, actions, behaviors, and incidents.
• Key contributors to sociology include Auguste Comte, Emile Durkheim, Karl Marx, Max Weber, and Herbert Spencer.
• Sociology has its history, subject matter, approaches, concepts, and methods, distinguishing it from other disciplines.
• The first unit of the sociology paper introduces sociology, its emergence, growth, and development internationally and in India.
• It explains modern pioneers’ contributions, the scope, subject matter, and importance of sociology.
• The unit discusses the Formalistic and Synthetic schools of thought on sociology’s scope.
• Sociology’s interrelationship with other social sciences like Economics, History, and Political Science is highlighted.
• Sociology synthesizes other social sciences, sharing views and methods with them.
• Sociology is the general study of social life, groups, and societies, focusing on social relationships and interactions.
• It studies social action in terms of how it influences social behavior, not just in economic, political, religious, or ethical senses.
• Sociology examines social reality and institutions, studying social groups, processes, and organizations.
• The term “Sociology” is derived from the Latin “Socius” (society) and the Greek “Logos” (study or science).
• Sociology studies human behavior in groups and interactions, analyzing and explaining social phenomena.
• According to Simmel, sociology’s main object is the study of forms of social interaction.
• Sociology concerns the “whole” of human society, studying society as an interconnected whole and our behavior as social beings.

Emergence of sociology

• To comprehend a subject, it is essential to look into the socio-cultural coordinates of its genesis and growth.
• The history of social life and its problems is as old as human beings themselves.
• The origin of sociology is associated with the evolution of man.
• The roots of sociological understanding go back to ancient Greek and Roman literature.
• Systematic study of society emerged in the West.
• References to law, state, and society are found in Plato’s Republic (427-347 B.C.) and Aristotle’s Ethics and Politics (348-322 B.C.).
• Roman philosopher Cicero’s De Officiis (on justice) contained insights in philosophy, law, politics, and sociology.
• St. Augustine’s De Civitate Dei (345-430 A.D.) deals with social concepts and questions.
• Significant works like Summa Theologica and De Regimine Principum by Thomas Aquinas (1227-1274) and De Monarchia by Dante (1265-1321) addressed social concepts and questions.
• In modern periods, writers treated problems of life and society more realistically.
• No clear distinction between state and society until the 16th century.
• Machiavelli’s “The Prince” discussed state and statecraft objectively.
• Sir Thomas Moore’s “Utopia” (1515) dealt with day-to-day social problems.
• Thomas Campanella’s “City of the Sun,” Sir Francis Bacon’s “New Atlantis,” and James Harrington’s “The Commonwealth of Nations” discussed ideal social life.
• Italian writer Vico and French scholar Montesquieu emphasized scientific investigation of social phenomena.
• Vico’s “The New Science” suggested society was subject to definite laws observable through objective observation.
• Montesquieu’s “The Spirit of Laws” analyzed the role of external factors in human societies.
• French scholar Saint Simon attempted to develop a new science to study social life.
• The Industrial Revolution and the French Revolution in the 18th and 19th centuries were crucial to sociology’s origin.
• These events caused significant changes in economy, polity, culture, and religiosity.
• Scholars like Saint Simon and Auguste Comte aimed to explain this social transition and envisioned social reconstruction.
• Sociology owes its birth to this intellectual endeavor.
• Auguste Comte, considered the founder of sociology, coined the term and developed its theme and methodology.
• Comte emphasized studying social institutions.
• In “Positive Philosophy,” Comte highlighted the need for a distinct science of society, initially called “social physics” and later “sociology” for analyzing and explaining social phenomena.

Emergence of Sociology in India

• The growth of sociology is a product of Western intellectual discourse.
• Ancient Indian texts like the Vedas, Upanishads, Puranas, Smritis, writings of Kautilya, and Sukracharya discuss rites, laws, customs, economy, polity, culture, morality, aesthetics, and science.
• These writings offer insights into social order, stability, mobility, human interrelationships, and social governance.
• Kautilya’s Artha Shastra is a treatise on political economy; Shukracharya’s Niti Shastra provides wisdom on morality, social customs, ethics, folkways, and mores.
• Charak Samhita (8th century B.C.) advised healers to consider norms, values, and customs of people.
• Classical Indian accounts of society are found in writings of Greek ambassador Meghasthenes and Chinese travelers Fa-hien (400-411 A.D.), Yoan Chang (624-644 A.D.), and I-Tsing (671-695 A.D.).
• Al-Bironi (973-1030) and Ibn Batutta (1333-1347) provided descriptions of social life and customs in their narratives.
• Abul Fazal’s “Ain-i-Akbari” offers a detailed description of society in Akbar’s time.
• Abd-al-Rahman Ibn-Khaldun’s “Muqaddamah” discusses the rise and fall of states, stressing geographical and climatic factors as causes of social change.
• These scholars were not sociologists in the modern sense but provided valuable material for sociology.
• During the British period, knowledge of Indian society and missionary activities increased from 1760.
• Dr. François Buchanan conducted an ethnographic survey of Bengal in 1807.
• Abbey Dubois’ “Hindu Manners, Customs and Ceremonies” (1816) is a valuable sociological document.
• Social reformers like Raja Rammohan Roy, Vivekananda, Dadabhai Naroji, and M.G. Ranade contributed to the discourse on ‘individual and society’ in India.
• Sociology emerged as a separate academic discipline in Indian universities in the early 20th century, initially associated with Anthropology.
• The growth of sociology and anthropology in India passed through three phases:
  • First phase: 1773-1900
  • Second phase: 1901-1950
  • Third phase: 1950 till date
• Sociology studies began at Calcutta University in 1907, with no separate department initially.
• Social Philosophy and Sociology were introduced at Mysore University in 1914.
• The first Department of Sociology was established at Bombay University in 1919, followed by the University of Lucknow in the 1920s.
• Osmania University offered sociology at B.A. level in 1928 and as an independent MA program in 1946.
• Other Indian universities began offering Sociology as a PG program after Independence.
• Auguste Comte coined the term sociology and contributed significantly with works like “Positive Philosophy,” “Systems of Positive Polity,” and “Religion of Humanity.”
• Comte’s themes include Law of Three Stages, Hierarchy of Sciences, Positivism, Social Statics, and Social Dynamics.
• Comte aimed to create a science of society following natural sciences, advocating a unilinear theory of evolution.
• Emile Durkheim (1858-1917) aimed to establish sociology as a distinct science and developed scientific sociology.
• Durkheim’s works include “Division of Labour in Society,” “Elementary Forms of Religious Life,” “Le Suicide,” and “Rules of Sociological Method.”
• Durkheim emphasized analyzing social facts objectively, considering social facts external to individuals.
• Herbert Spencer (1820-1903) focused on evolutionary growth of social structures, with works like “Social Statics,” “The Study of Sociology,” and “The Principles of Sociology.”
• Spencer’s sociology is evolutionistic, applying the natural law of evolution to social phenomena.
• Max Weber (1864-1920) contributed significantly to sociology with works like “Protestant Ethics and the Spirit of Capitalism,” “Economics and Society,” and “Methodology of Social Sciences.”
• Weber emphasized interpretative understanding (Verstehen) of social actions, using empathy along with objectivity for comprehensive understanding.
• Karl Marx (1818-1883) wrote on class, class formation, struggle, exploitation, poverty, alienation, and social change.
• Marx’s central theme is class struggle, with key works including “Economic and Philosophical Manuscripts,” “Capital,” “The Holy Family,” “The Poverty of Philosophy,” and “The Communist Manifesto.”
• Talcott Parsons (1902-1982) viewed sociology as the analysis of social relationships and cultural products, emphasizing rationality and keeping social science close to natural science.
• Parsons’ important works include “The Structure of Social Action” and “The Social System.”
• Salient themes of Parsons’ work include action frame of reference, social system, and pattern variables, focusing on the patterned normative order organizing societal life.

Importance of Sociology

• Sociology is a new and younger science compared to other sciences but is considered the mother of all social sciences.
• Sociologists differ regarding the importance and values of sociology.
• Some critics trivialize sociology as having little connection with social reality.
• Others argue for its importance as a scientific enterprise rooted in the study of social reality.
• Importance of sociology includes:
  • A scientific study of society is possible through sociological analysis.
  • Helps in understanding and analyzing various social problems.
  • Sociological insights aid in effective planning, formulation of social policy, and good governance.
  • Criminology, a branch of sociology, aids in understanding crime and criminality in society.
  • Facilitates comparative understanding of groups, culture, and societies.
  • Offers themes and issues for academic discourse and research such as tribal studies, social exclusion and inclusion, gender studies, Diaspora, urban studies, and social movements.

Scope of sociology

Definitions of Sociology

• Sociology’s scope is debated among scholars; there is no unanimous opinion on its boundaries.
• Some sociologists believe sociology covers everything, while others argue it is limited to areas not studied by other social sciences.
• V.F. Calberton noted that sociology’s elastic nature makes it difficult to determine its exact boundaries and overlaps with other disciplines.
• Auguste Comte coined the term “sociology” in 1839, derived from Latin “societus” (society) and Greek “logos” (study or science).
• Etymologically, sociology means the “science of society” and involves analyzing and explaining social phenomena.
• Sociology studies social life, actions, behaviors, incidents, and social relationships, groups, and societies.
• Definitions of sociology include:
  • Auguste Comte: Science of social phenomena subject to natural laws.
  • Alex Inkles: Study of systems of social action and their interrelations.
  • Emile Durkheim: Science of social institutions.
  • Max Weber: Science attempting interpretative understanding of social action.
  • Morris Ginsberg: Study of human interactions, inter-relations, conditions, and consequences.
  • Morris Ginsberg (alternative): Science dealing with social groups, their organization, and inter-group relations.
  • H.P. Fairchild: Study of relationships between man and his human environment.
  • J.F. Culler: Body of scientific knowledge about human relationships.
  • G.A. Lundberg: Body of related generalizations about human social behavior using scientific methods.
  • R.E. Park and F.W. Burgess: Science of collective behavior.
  • P.A. Sorokin: Generalizing science of socio-cultural phenomena in their generic form and interconnections.
  • Arnold Green: Synthesizing and generalizing science of men in all social relationships.
  • Kimball Young: Deals with behavior of men in groups.
  • Gillin and Gillin: Study of interactions arising from the association of living beings.
  • G.Duncan Mitchell: Science for scientific social development.
• Common idea in definitions: Sociology is concerned with human beings and their relationships, emphasizing the social aspect of these relationships.
• MacIver notes that the real subject matter of sociology is social relationships, which are the basis of social interaction and processes.

Scope of Sociology

Formalistic or specialistic school

• Sociology’s scope refers to its area of study, field of inquiry, or subject matter.
• Sociologists differ on the scope of sociology, leading to two main schools of thought: Formal school and Synthetic school.
• Formal school, led by George Simmel, includes Alfred Vierkandt, Leopold Vonwiese, Max Weber, Albion Small, Ferdinand Tonnies, E.A. Ross, Park, and Burgess.
• Formal school believes sociology should focus on formal behavior and social relationships, making its scope limited.
• George Simmel: Sociology should study forms of social relationships, not actual behavior.
• Alfred Vierkandt: Sociology deals with ultimate forms of mental or psychic relationships like love, hate, cooperation.
• Leopold Vonwiese: Sociology studies forms of social relationships and processes, identifying over 650 forms.
• Max Weber: Sociology should analyze and classify social action and behavior, not all human relations.
• Albion Small: Sociology studies genetic forms of social relationships, not all societal activities.
• Ferdinand Tonnies: Sociology should study forms of social relationships in ‘Gemeinschaft’ and ‘Gesellschaft’.
• Formal school confines sociology to the abstract study of forms of social relationships.
• Criticisms of formalistic school:
  • Narrows sociology’s scope to abstract forms of social relationships.
  • Distinction between forms and content of social relationships is not feasible.
  • Pure and independent sociology is imaginary.
  • Other social sciences also study social relationships.
  • Comparing sociology to geometry is impractical and incorrect.

Synthetic School

• The synthetic school of thought emerged in reaction to the formalistic school.
• It views sociology as a general science with a wide scope.
• Sociology studies social life as a whole, not just one aspect.
• Main advocates include Emile Durkheim, L.T. Hobhouse, P.A. Sorokin, Morris Ginsberg, Karl Mannheim, Alex Inkles.
• Emile Durkheim: Sociology has three main divisions: social morphology, social physiology, and general sociology.
• L.T. Hothouse: Sociology shows social life of man, interpreting social life as a whole.
• P.A. Sorokin: Sociology studies various aspects of social relationships, being a synthesis of social sciences.
• Morris Ginsberg: Sociology classifies all forms of social relationships and studies their interrelationships.
• Karl Mannheim: Sociology is divided into systematic and general sociology, and historical sociology.
• Alex Inkles: Sociology includes social analysis, primary concepts of social life, basic social institutions, and social processes.
• Sociology is both a general science and a special science.
• There is no conflict between the two schools of thought about the scope of sociology.
• Sociology’s subject matter includes its own scope, area of study, and field of inquiry.
• Sociology is an independent science with its own subject matter, considered the mother of all social sciences.

Nature of Sociology

• Controversy exists about whether sociology is a science.
• One group views sociology as a science due to its use of natural science methods, supported by Auguste Comte, Emile Durkheim.
• Another group, including Max Weber, argues that sociology is not a science.
• Sociology is a behavioral science exploring social reality objectively.
• Science is systematic knowledge based on reason, evidence, and the scientific method.
• Characteristics of science include objectivity, observation, prediction, experimentation, accurate measurement, generalization, and cause-effect relationships.
• According to Comte and Durkheim, sociology is a science because it applies scientific methods.
• Sociology pursues scientific methods and believes human actions can be studied scientifically.
• Sociology uses observation and fieldwork as tools, studying social reality as a whole.
• Objectivity is achievable in sociology through field investigation and factual analysis.
• Sociology describes cause-effect relationships, such as linking family disorganization to divorce and poverty.
• Sociology makes accurate measurements using statistical methods and scales.
• Sociology attempts prediction based on cause-effect relationships, improving over time.
• Sociology draws generalizations that are universally applicable, such as the incest taboo.
• Critics argue that sociology is not a science due to lack of objectivity, experimentation, accurate prediction, measurement, generalization, and terminological inadequacy.
• Sociology lacks complete objectivity due to inherent biases and cannot be studied like physical objects.
• Sociology cannot conduct experiments with human relationships, which are abstract.
• Prediction in sociology is difficult due to the unpredictable nature of human behavior.
• Accurate measurement in sociology is challenging due to the qualitative nature of social phenomena.
• Generalizations in sociology are not universally applicable due to the complexity of social phenomena.
• Terminological inadequacy limits sociology’s ability to theorize and explain social reality.
• Robert Bierstedt views sociology as a social science, positive and normative, pure, abstract, generalizing, rational, and empirical.

Sociology and other academic disciplines

• Understanding the meaning, nature, and scope of sociology is enhanced by examining its relationship with other social sciences.
• Sociology, as a social science, studies social life as a whole but relies on other social sciences for a complete understanding.
• Different social sciences are interrelated, and studying society requires considering all aspects together.
• Sociology synthesizes other social sciences but maintains its own unique perspective and is considered the mother of all social sciences.
• All other social sciences depend on sociology because no aspect of human life can be separated from its social context.
• No single social science can provide a complete picture of society on its own.
• Sociology uses insights from other social sciences to study social life comprehensively.
• There is a close and intimate relationship between sociology and other social sciences.
• Studying the interrelationships among social sciences is crucial for understanding the whole of social life.

Relationship between social and natural sciences

• Social life is complex and requires detailed study of all aspects to be understood.
• Social life is influenced by both natural and social factors.
• Sciences are categorized into natural sciences and social sciences.
• Natural sciences study the forces of nature, while social sciences study social phenomena.
• The goal of both sciences is to explore the relationship between the natural world and the human world.
• Natural and social sciences are mutually related and influence each other.
• They differ in several ways: natural sciences are objective, while social sciences are subjective.
• Natural sciences use scientific methods, whereas social sciences may use different approaches.
• The scope and subject matter of natural and social sciences also differ.
• Despite differences, natural and social sciences are interrelated.

Sociology and Anthropology

• Sociology is considered the mother of all social sciences and has a close relationship with Anthropology.
• Anthropologists like A.L. Kroeber view Sociology and Anthropology as twin sisters, often referring to them as two names for the same subject.
• Sociology is derived from Latin ‘Socius’ (society, companion) and Greek ‘logos’ (study, science), focusing on the association of human beings.
• Anthropology is derived from Greek ‘anthropos’ (man) and ‘logos’ (study, science), dealing with man’s biological and cultural development.
• Anthropology is divided into four main fields: physical anthropology (bodily characteristics of early man), archeology (prehistoric cultures), cultural anthropology (cultural aspects), and social anthropology (behavior in social institutions).
• Social anthropology and sociology are closely related; Evan Pritchard considers social anthropology a branch of Sociology.
• Anthropology contributes to Sociology by providing knowledge about ancient societies and enriching sociological understanding through contributions from anthropologists like R. Brown, Linton, Mead, and Pritchard.
• Sociology benefits from anthropology by incorporating concepts like cultural area, cultural traits, and cultural lag, and by understanding the origin of family, marriage, and religion.
• Sociology contributes to anthropology by providing concepts and research from sociologists like Emile Durkheim and Herbert Spencer, benefiting anthropological research.
• Both Sociology and Anthropology study human society and social groups, using similar ideas and concepts.
• Differences between Sociology and Anthropology:
  1. Sociology is a science of society, while Anthropology is a science of man and his behavior.
  2. Sociology has a wide scope, whereas Anthropology has a limited scope.
  3. Sociology studies society as a whole, while Anthropology studies man as part of society.
  4. Sociology studies civilizations which are vast and dynamic, while Anthropology studies simple and primitive cultures.
  5. Sociology focuses on modern, civilized, and complex societies, while Anthropology focuses on ancient and pre-literate societies.
  6. Sociology is concerned with social planning and suggests future improvements, while Anthropology does not involve social planning.
  7. Kluckhon notes that Sociology tends towards practical and present concerns, while Anthropology focuses on understanding the past.

Sociology and Economics

• Sociology is the mother of all social sciences and has a close relationship with Economics.
• Sociology and Economics are closely related because economic activities are social activities and vice versa.
• Sociology studies human interactions, associations, and their conditions, while Economics focuses on economic activities such as production, consumption, distribution, and exchange.
• Economics is described as a science of wealth and choice, dealing with material needs and welfare, according to Prof. Robbins.
• Economics relies on Sociology for a comprehensive understanding of economic activities and social welfare issues like inflation, poverty, and unemployment.
• Economists use sociological research to understand economic problems and consider economic change as part of social change.
• Sociology benefits from Economics by incorporating economic factors into the study of social issues like dowry and suicide.
• Economic factors influence social life significantly, making Economics essential for understanding sociology.
• Both fields study the impact of economic changes on social changes and vice versa.
• Differences between Sociology and Economics:
  1. Sociology studies society and social relationships, while Economics focuses on wealth.
  2. Sociology is a younger science with a recent origin, whereas Economics is older.
  3. Sociology is abstract, while Economics is concrete in nature.
  4. Sociology is a general social science, whereas Economics is a special social science.
  5. Sociology is concerned with social activities, while Economics is concerned with economic activities.
  6. Sociology studies society as a whole, while Economics studies man as a unit.
  7. The methods and techniques used in Sociology and Economics differ.

Sociology and Political Science

• Sociology, as the mother of social sciences, has a close and intimate relationship with Political Science.
• G.E.C. Catlin remarked that Political Science and Sociology are two aspects of the same figure.
• Sociology studies human interactions, social groups, and institutions, while Political Science focuses on the state, government, power, political processes, and international relations.
• Political Science, according to Paul Junet, deals with the foundation of the state and principles of government.
• Sociology depends on Political Science for understanding social problems with political causes and changes in political systems affecting society.
• Political Science also relies on Sociology to comprehend social causes behind political problems and the influence of social customs, traditions, and values on state laws.
• Political Science and Sociology share common topics such as war, propaganda, authority, communal riots, and law.
• The field of Political Sociology emerges from the intersection of Political Science and Sociology.
• Differences between Sociology and Political Science:
  1. Sociology is a science of society and social relationships, whereas Political Science is a science of state and government.
  2. Sociology has a wider scope, while Political Science has a more limited scope.
  3. Sociology is a general science, while Political Science is a special science.
  4. Sociology studies organized, unorganized, and disorganized societies; Political Science focuses on politically organized societies.
  5. Sociology examines social activities, whereas Political Science studies political activities.
  6. Sociology is a newer science compared to the older Political Science.
  7. Sociology views man as a social animal, while Political Science views man as a political animal.
  8. Sociology studies both formal and informal relations; Political Science studies only formal relations.
  9. Sociology analyzes both conscious and unconscious activities; Political Science focuses on conscious activities.
  10. Sociology deals with all forms of association; Political Science deals with the specific form of association known as the state.

Sociology and History

• Sociology, as the mother of social sciences, has a close relationship with History.
• The relationship between Sociology and History is so intimate that some scholars, like G. Von Bulow, have questioned whether Sociology is distinct from History.
• Sociology studies social systems, groups, and institutions, while History records past events, incidents, and the life of societies in chronological order.
• History also seeks to understand the causes of past events and their connections to the present and future.
• G.H. Howard remarked that “History is past Sociology and Sociology is present history.”
• History enriches Sociology by providing records of past social matters, customs, and events, which Sociologists use for understanding current social phenomena.
• Historians benefit from Sociological research, using sociological data to study caste, class, and family.
• Sociology offers a background for historical study, analyzing historical events from a sociological perspective.
• Historical Sociology is a branch of Sociology that relies on historical data, while Sociological History is a specialized subject that combines both sciences.
• Differences between Sociology and History:
  1. Sociology focuses on the present society, whereas History deals with past events and societies.
  2. Sociology is a newer subject compared to the older History.
  3. Sociology is abstract, while History is concrete in nature.
  4. Sociology has a wider scope, including History within its framework, whereas History has a more limited scope.
  5. Sociology is an analytical science, whereas History is a descriptive science.
  6. Sociology studies events as social phenomena, whereas History examines events in their entirety.
  7. Sociology is a general science, while History is a special science.

Sociology and Psychology

• Sociology, as a science of society, is closely related to Psychology.
• The relationship between Sociology and Psychology is so intimate that some psychologists, like Karl Pearson, argue they are not distinct sciences.
• Sociology studies social phenomena, relationships, groups, and institutions, focusing on collective behavior.
• Psychology is the science of the mind and mental processes, including attitudes, emotions, learning, and personality formation.
• Thouless describes Psychology as “the positive science of human experience and behavior.”
• Sociology benefits from Psychology, as psychological forces underpin many social phenomena and problems.
• Key psychologists like Freud and Mac Dugal have enriched Sociology with their insights.
• Social Psychology, a branch combining both fields, focuses on human behavior in social contexts.
• Psychology relies on Sociology to understand how social environments, culture, and traditions influence the mind and behavior.
• Sociological research contributes significantly to Psychology, helping understand social causes of psychological issues.
• Common areas of study include social disorganization and public opinion, explored by both disciplines.
• Social Psychology is an interdisciplinary field that combines Sociology and Psychology.
• Differences between Sociology and Psychology:
  1. Sociology is a science of society, whereas Psychology is a science of the mind.
  2. Sociology has a wider scope, while Psychology has a more limited scope.
  3. Sociology focuses on society as the unit of study, while Psychology focuses on the individual.
  4. Sociology studies social processes, while Psychology studies mental processes.
  5. Sociology analyzes human behavior from a sociological perspective, whereas Psychology analyzes it from a psychological perspective.

Sociology and Ethics

• Sociology is the science of society and is closely related to other social sciences, including Ethics.
• Ethics is the science of morality, focusing on good and bad, and the moral rightness and wrongness of actions.
• Ethics conditions social action and aims at ideals like truth and fair play.
• Ethics seeks to make individuals ethical, which benefits society.
• Ethics sheds light on the moral life of individuals and institutions and is a normative science.
• Sociology and Ethics are closely related, as Ethics influences social institutions and moral values.
• Good ethical standards provide a solid foundation for society and influence individual behavior within social groups.
• The degree of moral standards in individuals affects the nature and progress of society.
• Some scholars consider Ethics as a branch of Sociology due to their close relationship.
• Differences between Sociology and Ethics:
  1. Sociology focuses on groups and society, whereas Ethics is concerned with individual morality.
  2. Sociology is a positive science, while Ethics is a normative science.
  3. Sociology has a wide scope, while Ethics has a limited scope.
  4. Sociology studies social relations of individuals, while Ethics studies the moral life of individuals.
  5. Sociology is the science of society, whereas Ethics is the science of morality.

Key words

• The word sociology has been derived from the Latin word ‘socius’or ‘societas’ means society and the Greek word ‘logos’ means study or science.Sociology is the science of society or the study of society.
• Political science: According to paul Junet, “political science is that part of social science which treats the foundation of the state and principle of government.”
• Economics: According to prof. Robbins, Economics is a social science which studies human behaviour in relation to his unlimited ends and scarce means which have alternative uses.”
• Psychology: In the words of Thouless, “psychology is the positive science of human experience and behaviour.” It is a science of human mind or mental processes.
• Anthropology: Anthropology is the science or study of man. It deals with man, his work and behaviour.It studies the biological and cultural development of man.