Many thinkers in the 1800s had some similar views on how society should be, but also differences about it too. Two major social theorists that have commonalities and differences are Henri de Saint-Simon and Karl Marx. Saint Simon was a French theorist who believed in a merit based society with science progressing society forward. Karl Marx was a German theorist who believed that industrialism was destroying society and communism was the best idea for the individuals and societies. Although their ideal societies differed in more ways than not, they had similar goals when it came to fulfillment within oneself. “Saint Simon was a theorist who believed in a competitive free market and that an elite group should coordinate society” (Sniezek,
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They both believed in their ideal society, that the individuals were happy and fulfilled in their work and in society. “Like early socialists [i.e. Saint-Simon] Marx holds the view that the overall progress of society is due to technological progress, although the technology has been misused by the capitalists for the fulfillment of their narrow and sectarian economic purposes” (politicalsciencenotes.com). Harriet Martineau is considered one of the first female sociologists. She looked at the injustices and inequalities in society and advocated that sociologists should not just look at these problems but find solutions to them. Her emphasis was on individual happiness, the factors that contributed to that and social equality as a way to progress society. She believed the more autonomy one had, the more happier they were. Her observations about injustices and ideas about autonomy, happiness and inequality are still relevant to this day …show more content…
Martineau would argue that we would need to change laws, change social thoughts and social patterns. Change laws to make sure everyone has equal rights (this would be specified more towards gays/same sex couples); change social thought in order to then change the laws and patterns. If we keep our same mindset about social injustices, we cannot progress ourselves and our society into an autonomous one. By changing our thoughts, we then change our social patterns, which can then lead to more freedom, equality and autonomy, which thereby creates progress in society. Martineau stated that sociologists should not just observe the patterns/injustices, but that they should do something about them. What she believed was that autonomy, was to be able to make one’s own decisions without the input of the law or society. She looked at important issues and spoke out about them, when others would not. She looked at and wrote about womens rights in the UK and slavery and justice in the US. If Martineau was present in modern day society, she would see similar issues that she saw in her time mixed with new issues and would seek to change these injustices to progress
They both believed in their ideal society, that the individuals were happy and fulfilled in their work and in society. “Like early socialists [i.e. Saint-Simon] Marx holds the view that the overall progress of society is due to technological progress, although the technology has been misused by the capitalists for the fulfillment of their narrow and sectarian economic purposes” (politicalsciencenotes.com). Harriet Martineau is considered one of the first female sociologists. She looked at the injustices and inequalities in society and advocated that sociologists should not just look at these problems but find solutions to them. Her emphasis was on individual happiness, the factors that contributed to that and social equality as a way to progress society. She believed the more autonomy one had, the more happier they were. Her observations about injustices and ideas about autonomy, happiness and inequality are still relevant to this day …show more content…
Martineau would argue that we would need to change laws, change social thoughts and social patterns. Change laws to make sure everyone has equal rights (this would be specified more towards gays/same sex couples); change social thought in order to then change the laws and patterns. If we keep our same mindset about social injustices, we cannot progress ourselves and our society into an autonomous one. By changing our thoughts, we then change our social patterns, which can then lead to more freedom, equality and autonomy, which thereby creates progress in society. Martineau stated that sociologists should not just observe the patterns/injustices, but that they should do something about them. What she believed was that autonomy, was to be able to make one’s own decisions without the input of the law or society. She looked at important issues and spoke out about them, when others would not. She looked at and wrote about womens rights in the UK and slavery and justice in the US. If Martineau was present in modern day society, she would see similar issues that she saw in her time mixed with new issues and would seek to change these injustices to progress