1.
Introduction to Social Science
● Definition: Social science is the study of human society and social relationships.
● Main Focus: Analyzes human behavior, social structures, and cultural patterns.
● Key Areas: Sociology, anthropology, psychology, economics, political science, and
history.
2. Early Roots of Social Science
● Ancient Civilizations: Social science ideas began with early thinkers in Ancient
Greece, India, and China.
● Greek Philosophers:
○ Socrates, Plato, Aristotle – Questioned human nature, ethics, and society.
● Religious Influence: Early views on society were often influenced by religious
teachings, particularly in the Middle Ages.
3. Rise of Enlightenment (1600s–1800s)
● The Age of Reason: The Enlightenment was a movement emphasizing reason,
science, and individual rights.
● Key Thinkers:
○ Thomas Hobbes – Viewed society as a social contract among people.
○ John Locke – Proposed ideas about natural rights and government by consent.
○ Jean-Jacques Rousseau – Focused on human freedom and social contract
theory.
● Impact: Enlightenment ideas laid the groundwork for modern social sciences by
promoting rational thought and empirical research.
4. The Birth of Modern Social Sciences (1800s)
● Industrial Revolution: Major changes in economy, urbanization, and social issues
created a need to understand society scientifically.
● Auguste Comte – Called the “Father of Sociology,” he coined “sociology” and
proposed using scientific methods to study society.
● Karl Marx – Analyzed class struggle and the impacts of capitalism, influencing
economics, politics, and sociology.
● Herbert Spencer – Applied evolutionary theory to societies, introducing the concept
of “Social Darwinism.”
5. Development of Social Science Disciplines (Late 1800s – Early 1900s)
● Psychology: Emerged as a separate field with Sigmund Freud studying the human
mind and behavior.
● Anthropology: Focused on human cultures and societies, pioneered by researchers
like Franz Boas.
● Political Science: Studied political systems and structures, influenced by thinkers like
Max Weber who also contributed to sociology.
● Economics: Formalized as a discipline to study wealth, markets, and capitalism. Key
figures include Adam Smith and later John Maynard Keynes.
6. Social Sciences in the 20th Century
● Further Specialization: Social sciences split into more specific fields (e.g.,
criminology, cultural anthropology, developmental psychology).
● Interdisciplinary Research: Social scientists began using methods from different
fields to study complex problems (e.g., economics and psychology in behavioral
economics).
● Quantitative and Qualitative Methods: Introduction of statistical methods alongside
qualitative research, allowing more in-depth analysis of human behavior and social
trends.
7. Modern Social Science (Late 20th Century – Today)
● Global Perspective: Increased focus on globalization, diversity, and cross-cultural
studies.
● Technology and Data Analysis: Big data, AI, and digital surveys have transformed
research methods in social sciences.
● Key Issues Studied: Globalization, inequality, environmental issues, human rights,
and digital society.
● Influential Thinkers: Figures like Michel Foucault (power and society), Pierre
Bourdieu (social capital), and Judith Butler (gender studies) have shaped recent
discussions.
Summary: Key Takeaways
● Social science is the systematic study of human societies and interactions.
● It developed from philosophy and evolved through the Enlightenment and Industrial
Revolution.
● Modern social science includes various disciplines and uses diverse research methods
to address complex global issues.
