Weber And Durkheim: The Founding Fathers Of Sociology

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The two prominent names: Weber and Durkheim; considered the “founding fathers of Sociology”. Their writing in the late 18th century considered to be revolution and brought profound changes in the modern life. Although, both of these men studied the society, its structure and trends, but their methodology and theoretical approach were different. In the early years of his life, Durkheim was influenced and impressed by the evolutionary perspective of Herbert Spencer and later, with the works of August Comte. Whereas, Weber owed his approach much to the Neo-Kantian Philosophy. Therefore, When Durkheim talked about (Social Facts- indicated that there were forces beyond individual control that affected their behaviour in any society.) society’s objective and measurable emphasises on individual. Weber was more interested in explaining the subjective interpretation and meaning that individual put on their behaviour to understand the society (Symbolic Interactionism). Both called for using the “scientific methods” to the study of society, while placing the stress over objectivity, however, their interpretation and ideology behind of “Objectivity” were profoundly different. For both of these theorists, comparative sociological analysis was centrality of the Sociology. DEBATE WITH SCIENCE IN 18OO CENTURY EUROPE The period from the mid 1800s till the early 1900s was considered the time that brought a paradigm shift in the European society. The ideas of individualism and organizations