Auguste Comte coined the term sociology, though he never conducted sociological research. Heavily influenced by the
French Revolution.
• Theorized that societies contain social statics (forces for social order and stability) and social dynamics (forces for
conflict and change).
• The scientific method should be applied to the objective study of society.
• Positivism – a belief that the world can best be understood through scientific inquiry. Two dimensions of
positivism…
o Methodological – the application of scientific knowledge to both physical and social phenomena.
o Social and political – The use of such knowledge to predict the likely results of different policies so that the
best one can be chosen.
• Cours de Philosophie Positive