Synopsis
Sociology was born of the modern ardor to improve society. ~ American sociologist Albion Small
▫ Although conceptions of human sociality are perhaps as old as the species, sociology as an academic study only blossomed in the 19th century. Under sway of the Enlightenment mind-set, the pioneers of sociology were mostly men deluded in thinking of societies as perfectible through science. A notable exception was Harriet Martineau: a woman with a sensible perspective of human fallibility.
▫ Capitalist industrialization shaped modern society. As such, a bedrock inquiry of sociology has been the consequences of gross inequity from exploitative economics.
▫ The state of modern societies shows that tribalism is as vibrant now as it was 100,000 years ago. For all the advances in technology and supposed ‘civilization’, human sociality is little changed: group conflicts over resources remain rife.
It is not disbelief that is dangerous to our society; it is belief. ~ George Bernard Shaw
