Question

1. Discuss the contexts for the emergence of
Sociology as a
a discipline. in IGNOU 500 words
​

Answer 1

Answer: Sociology is relatively a new science.

• As a discipline of academic interest, it is of recent origin. Though the roots of

• sociological writings go back to the Greek and the Roman philosophy; it emerged as a

• new discipline only in the first half of the 19th century, as a response to the crisis caused

• by the French and the industrial revolutions. Earlier, History, Economics, Political

• Science, and Philosophy attempted a study of various problems related to society. Later,

• when man was confronted with complexities of social life, it became necessary to

• establish a separate discipline for the study of society. The social, economic, political

• and intellectual background of the 18th century Europe facilitated the emergence of

• sociology. It emerged in European society corresponding to its socio-historical

• background which had its origin in the Enlightenment period. This period embodied the

• scientific, technological, intellectual and commercial revolutions in Europe on the one

• hand; and the French revolution of 1789 on the other. The Enlightenment period

• stretched from 14th to 18th century and had given rise to force of social change which

• rocked the feudal monarchy and church in Europe. Similarly, the industrial revolution in

• England brought about deep rooted changes in the nature of society and role of

1. individual in the society.