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Paper 1 Sociology
1. Modernity and Social Changes in Europe and emergence of sociology
Introduction:

 Emergence of Sociology in Europe is a relationship between society and ideas.

 There is always a connection between the social condition of period and ideas, which
arise and are dominant.
 The emergence of sociology as a scientific discipline can be traced to that period of
European history such social, political and economic changes as embodied in the French
and Industrial revolution.
 The period of change in European society is known as the Enlightenment period as it’s
the spirit of new awakening in the French philosophers of the 18 th century.
Changes in enlightenment period:

 It introduced the new way of thinking and looking at reality.

 Individuals started questioning each and every aspects of life and nothing was
considered from church of state to the authority of the Monarch.
Structure and change in European society:

 Old Europe was traditional.

 Land was central to its economic system.
 The new European is ushered of two revolutions, the French and Industrial revolution.
 Here the classes were recognized, old classes were overthrown, new classes arose,
Religion was questioned.
 Religions lost its important position.
 Family loyalties gave way to ideological commitments.
 The position of the Women changed.
 Finally Monarchy was overthrown.
 Democracy was withheld.
Social conditions in which sociology emerged:

 Sociology emerged in 19th century Europe.

 It was a period of French and Industrial revolution.
 The Commercial revolution: It’s a series of events between 1450 to 1800.
 The scientific revolution and the Renaissance period: Scientific revolution is in the
period of 14th to 16th century AD.
 Impact of this revolution is it changed the ideas of people about nature and society.
 Renaissance is a period description and critism in the field of science, it creates a great
challenge to old authority.
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Visual art

 Art, Literature and science all flourished.

 A scientific approach to nature and Human body became prevalent.
Emergence of science:
Medicine:

 Doctors and Physiologists directly observed hoe the human body was constructed.
 The fields of anatomy, physiology and pathology thus benefited.
Chemistry:

 A general theory of chemistry was developed.

 Chemical process like oxidation, reduction, Distillation, amalgamation etc., were studies.
Navigation and astronomy:

 Vasco da Gama reached the Indian shores in 1498.

 Columbus discovered America in 1492.
 This was the era of expansion of trade and the beginnings of colonialism.
 A strongest interest in astronomy, important for successful navigation also grew.
The French Revolution:

 It was in 1789 which a truing point in the history of human struggle for freedom and
equality.
 This made end for the age of feudalism and ushered in a new order of society.
 This revolution made a great change not only in French society but in society’s
thoughtout Europe.
 Even countries like India were influenced by the ideas generated during this revolution.
 Idea like liberty, fraternity and equality, which now form a part of the preamble to the
Constitution of India, were their origin to French revolution.
Industrial revolution:

 This revolution began around 17600 AD in England.

 This brought changes in Social and Economic life of people first in England, then in other
countries of Europe and later in other continents.
 In England, the consequent growth of town brought about an increase in demand for
goods.
 Earlier goods were produced at domestic level. This means that there were a domestic
system of production, with increased demand; goods were to be produced on a large –
scale.
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The intellectual influences affecting the emergence of sociology:

Three intellectual influences are the precursors of sociology and are reflected the writing of the
early sociologist, which are
1. The Philosophy of history.
2. The biological theories of evolution.
3. The surveys of social conditions.
Conclusion:

 Modernity and social changes in Europe is caused because of two revolution of French
and Industrial revolution which not only reflected their change in Europe but through
the entire continent always a revolution will create a history and this made victory on it.