RajeshwariAIR 2 · CSE 2025 · 188 wordsTheir whole copy
Opening · a definition
None written.
Body · points
Sociology is the scientific study of society according to A. Comte.
History is idiographic study of the past historical events.
Contributions from history helped widen the scope of sociology in multiple ways.
Contributions from history - influenced the scope of sociology:
→ History provides raw data for sociological research.
eg → Pareto's power elite theory is based on historical analysis of the circulation of elite and their characteristics.
→ Sociology is nomothetic which uses idiographic history in its studies. Here history forms foundation for sociological studies.
→ Social institutions like religion are studied based on historical evidences.
eg Emile Durkheim study of totemism is based on indirect observation. He made use of historical records for theory formulation.
→ Social evolution and relation between various sections of society is studied through historical Analysis.
eg Historical Materialism of Marx is based on negation of contradictions over the history.
→ Weber postulated Protestant ethics & spirit of capitalism with help of historical records like Benjamin Franklin diary.
Close · a summary
Hence, history influenced sociology to widen its scope evolving socio-history. It is rightly said; "Sociology without history is rootless, history without sociology is fruitless".