What is Karl Marx's contribution to sociology? How are these contributions still important today?
Karl Marx is a prominent pillar of sociology, and he is well established as classical thinker in sociology. His contribution is in many core areas of sociology such as political sociology,economic sociology, methodology, sociological theories as well as sociological thought. Beyond this, Marxist/Marxism itself as a perspective has a different angle/dimension to look at the social issue in sociology.from class formation to class conflict in conflict perspective, stages of development of society a historical analysis, mode of production, surplus production, capitalism, are one and unique, dialectal materialism a philosophical approach are few examples from many. Even now there is a school in Germany of Neo Marxists as critical sociology - Frankfurt School. Marx and his ideas are a big failure in 21st century, but Marx remains alive even in near future.His most of the theories are the focal point of discussion among the sociologists across the world. He changed the methodology of the historical analysis. Marx rejected the history of rise and fall of kings-kingdoms and their dynasties.His way of history is history of change of mode of production.Change of mode of production brings change in society. History contains the analysis mode of productions.In the beginning society was classless, so, in the last stage of development of society again society will be classless.Surplus production causes the creation of benefits through market, in later course that creates classes - proletariat and bourgeois.Through dialectal materialism he proved that material brings change in human as well as society. He corrected to Hegel through as Hegel was believing in spiritual dialectics. Though he borrowed the idea from Hegel, but he changed the entire perspective.Karl Marx witnessed the change happened across Europe in his life time, therefore he has been a great critique of industrialisation and it's post impact on society.He is often criticised on the basis that Marx was unaware of emergence of the middle class which is the centre of modern economy. And also, Marx was not aware of cooperative movement that is the backbone of many countries, that brought huge change in society.
Can you explain anthropological and sociological perspectives on culture and society?
In my understanding anthropology and sociology have same perspective on society and culture. Many anthropologists have their great contribution in sociology from functionalism perceptive to culture studies. Marcel Mauss,Clifford Geertz, Malinowski, Morgan, Boas, Claude Levi Strauss (Structural) Alexander etc. they have their great contribution in both the disciplines. Culture refers to the symbols, language, beliefs, values, and artifacts that are part of any society. Because culture influences people's beliefs and behaviors, culture is a key concept to the sociological perspective.Culture and society both are a complex but interrelated phenomena. I do not much difference between sociological understanding and anthropological understanding on culture. Symbolic interaction, phenomenology, ethnomethodology they all use symbols and other cultural aspects in order to explain the society.cultural sociology especially concerns the systematic interpretation of codes and conducts in the form of language, symbols, face expressions, dress, food, music etc. used by people in society. In structuralism and post structuralism also almost used the same methodology. What is functionalism, and structuralism in sociology the same in anthropology as well. That is the reason why the scholars and their contribution we learn the same way. According to Parsons Cultural system is the cognitive and symbolic matrix for the central value system. See there might be some basic differences between the both disciplines but overall on cultural aspects they both somehow some way hold same opinion. For example Radcliff Brown considers that culture is value based without the influence of material world, which seems quite typical and vague.
What is the relationship between education and sociology?
My best answer would be looking at the institution of 'education,' and the hierarchy that the individual is taught through (i.e. teachers, principles, school boards, etc.), and which best way to approach the idea of educating the general populous.Through this lens, you'd then have to look into the psychological aspect of teaching the individual. Here is a list of relations between the two according to Dr. N. K. Arjunan:"Sociology is the science of society and education in an implicit aspect of any social system.Sociology studies the structure and functions of social systems, while education is one of the important functions of any social system.The prime concern of sociology is socialized individuals while education is the process of socializing individuals.Education is the means for achieving the goals of sociology.Education is the laboratory and workshop of sociology.Sociology develops methods and techniques to be utilized by educational system to attain its goals.Sociology contributes greatly to the planning, execution, monitoring and evaluation of educational process.Sociology attempts to ascertain the functions performed by the educational system while education adopts the principles of sociology to improve its functioning.In the modern society, sociology generates the data base which is consumed by educational system to realize the goal of social life.Sociology develops laws and principles which are adopted by the educational system for its improvement.The ever cherishing social values are those attained through education.Sociology provides the principles and education practices them.Sociology put forth the ideals and values which education is to achieve.Education preserves the social and cultural heritage which is owned by sociology.Education brings about reforms and changes in the field of sociology."(Arjunan,N.K., 2010)
Why is it important to study the sociology of education?
I think that there are so many reasons why sociology as an area of study is important. I will give 4 reasons as to why you should consider studying sociology.Sociology helps you in gaining understanding of the the seemingly complex but simple nature of mankind. It also helps to understand how societies organize themselves in different circumstances. For instance, you would want to understand why Italy is dominated by Catholics while many Arab nations are Islamic states.A student or graduate of sociology has a lot of areas to apply the knowledge and skills acquired. It teaches students to understand people from different backgrounds. This improves your teamwork abilities. Lets assume that you did sociology of religion and you work in an company whose workers come from different religions, you will not take offense if they practice their religious beliefs even if they go against yours. Sociology will also help to understand different cultures. In return, you will easily practice cultural relativism with a lot of ease.Sociology is easy to integrate into other areas of studies. For instance, a student of sociology can easily do political sociology, cultural anthropology, Economics and so on.Lastly, sociology helps a graduate to fit into many sectors of the economy. If you study it together with education, you will enjoy teaching as it will be easy to understand students from different socio-economic, political, and religious backgrounds. If you are a policeman, you would understand why crime is higher in a certain social class as opposed to another.
How did the Enlightenment influence the French Revolution?
The Enlightenment influenced the French Revolution in some major areas. First, it transformed the monarchy. It ushered in the new concept of the Republic. ... TheEnlightenment philosophers began to contest the dogma of the Catholic Church, which considered earthly life to be a simple passage towards eternal life.In the Enlightenment, people had new ideas about government. This gave the French the perfect way to have their country work well.John Locke, an Enlightenment thinker, said that no king should have absolute power. He believed in a constitutional monarchy, which basically meant he thought that any ruler should have rules to follow too. He also believed in a social contract: people give a little of their freedom to their ruler, but he/she cannot take away their natural rights, the rights that they are born with, and they have the right to get rid of him/her if he/she is a bad ruler. The French liked these ideas.Baron de Montesquieu believed in a separation of powers into three branches (executive, legislative, and judicial). He said they should hold equal power so it did not become a despotism (tyranny). His ideas were influential in many countries, including America.Voltaire, an Enlightenment writer, thought that people should have the right to free speech and religious freedom, which they did not really have. This idea became an important part of all Enlightenment thinking and many governments.Cesare Beccaria thought people should be allowed a fair and speedy trial with no torture and no "cruel and unusual punishments," an idea prized in many countries that had poor legal systems. He also disagreed with capital punishment (execution).Mary Wollstonecraft and Olympe de Gouges believed in equal rights for everyone, including women. De Gouges, a French woman, was executed for her beliefs.The French believed in the ideas of these thinkers, as well as other popular Enlightenment ideas, so they tried to overthrow their government. The revolution was, unfortunately, very poorly planned and resulted in chaos, the opposite of what they aimed for. It turned into a bloodbath, many people were guillotined. A very harsh tyrant, Napolean Bonaparte was put in charge of the country.klscakds ยท 9 years ago