WHAT ARE THE PRINCIPLES OF SOCIOLOGY? - SCIENCE - 2025

The principles of sociology are phrases or sentences that seek to explain what tends to occur in natural processes, from sociology and under certain given circumstances.

The concept of sociology was used for the first time by Auguste Comte in 1824. Today sociology is known as the science that studies the relationships, culture and organization of individuals in the construction of the institutions that make up society.

Auguste Comte, one of the fathers of sociology

Some authors consider that in sociology there are two types of principles:

1-General truths about society that allow discovering other less obvious social truths.

2-Fundamental truths that comprehensively explain how nature leads social changes.

General principles in sociology

Although the principles of sociology are commonly discussed, it is difficult to find specifically designated principles. Few authors have ventured to formulate principles or laws of sociology.

The first authors who dealt in depth with the subjects of sociology were those who spoke most of the principles of sociology. Among them are: Edward Ross, Herbert Spencer and Henry Giddings.

The principles of Edward Ross

Ross, unlike the others, mentioned 4 principles although he did not define them thoroughly. These principles were: The anticipation principle, the simulation principle, the individualization principle and the Balance principle.

Other renowned figures from the early days of sociology are Karl Marx and Max Weber. They also laid the foundations for their sociological theories that were taken as principles for their subsequent development.

Most modern sociologists assumed some basic concepts but did little about the definitions of principles of their predecessors. Instead, each defined principles according to their sociological theories.

The various principles defined by different authors have allowed sociology to develop in various branches.

Among the most important sociological schools that resulted from these developments are the school of functionalism, positivism, and Marxism, among others.

Despite the different currents, in 1941 John Cuber proposed 18 points that sought to act as basic principles of sociology. Among them, sentences such as:

Criticisms of the principles of sociology

Many authors agree on fundamental bases and concepts of sociology similar to those defined by John Cuber. However, many others, including the most modern authors, do not accept the talk of laws or principles.

The main argument of those who question the existence of the principles in sociology is that in the theoretical works there is not a consistent development of the same by different authors.

Critics of sociological principles say that although they may exist, they are not yet well established. They propose to stop defining principles until they have better defined bases.

Those who defend the principles in sociology assure that as in any science, there are already defined truths in sociology that are used in virtually all works, although some do not recognize them as principles.

References

1. Cuber J. Are there “Principles” of Sociology? American Sociological Review. 1941; 6 (3): 370–372.
2. Espinosa THE SOCIOLOGY OF THE TWENTIETH CENTURY. Spanish Journal of Sociological Research. 2001; 96 (96): 21–49.
3. Howard J. Zoeller A. The role of the introductory sociology course on students' perceptions of achievement. Teaching Sociology. 2007; 35 (3): 209–222.
4. Howerth I. What are Principles of Sociology? American Journal of Sociology. 1926; 31 (4): 474–484.
5. Marshall J. Principles of Sociology as a Teaching Device. Social Forces. 1948; 26 (4): 433–436.
6. Rodriguez J. Academic sociology. Spanish Journal of Sociological Research. 1993; 64 (64): 175–200.
7. Ward LF Principles of Sociology. The Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science. 1896; 8: 1–31.