SOCIOLOGY - MEANING AND DEFINITION
MEANING (WHAT IS SOCIOLOGY?) The word Sociology is derived from the Latin word ‘SOCIETIES’ Meaning ‘SOCIETY’ and the Greek word ‘LOGOS’ Meaning ‘STUDY OR SCIENCE’. Auguste Comte, a French social thinker, is traditionally known as the ‘Father of Sociology’ coined the term ‘Sociology’ in 1839. Herbert Spencer developed his systematic study of society and adopted the word "sociology" in his works. With the contributions of Spencer and others it (sociology) became the permanent name of the new science. Sociology is not only a distinct science with subject matter of its own but it has also acquired that high status which entitles it to be called the “MOTHER OF ALL SOCIAL SCIENCES ”. Sociology has a distinct position among other social sciences. Sociology is the youngest of all the Social Sciences. It has own perspective and its own system of explanation of human behavior. Prof. Ginsberg accordingly defines it “as the study of society, which is of the web or tiss