Sociology

Durkheim introduced the concept of anomie in his study of suicide. He used it to describe a state of normlessness, where individuals feel disconnected from the values and norms of society, often leading to feelings of isolation and purposelessness.

Marx’s focus on real, existing contradictions led to the method known as dialectical materialism. This approach examines social phenomena through the conflicts and contradictions within material conditions, emphasizing how these drive social change and historical development.

Marx called this process primitive accumulation. It describes how the capitalist class gains control over production resources, which forces direct producers, like workers and peasants, into impoverished conditions.

Auguste Comte initially called Sociology “Social Physics.” He later changed it to Sociology to emphasize the study of society and social phenomena.