Sociology as a discipline is a combination of different theories and ideas relating to the explanation of how people exist in societies. The contributions of sociology pioneers and theorists are primarily composed of perceptions and thoughts regarding the key issues in the society. Sociologists are interested in explaining individuals’ experiences in the communities in which they live and the specific interaction between the people and the social groups. This essay discusses the major contributions made by Émile Durkheim (19th century) and Dorothy Smith (20th century) to sociology.
Emile Durkheim was a French sociologist that together with Max Weber and Karl Marx is considered as one the most important pioneers in establishing the modern social science. Durkheim’s major contribution to modern sociology relates to the function and form of the society. Consequently, Durkheim is regarded as the pioneer of functionalist perspective within sociology (Durkheim, 2009). The functionalist theory indicates that all the aspects of the society depends on each other and contribute to the overall stability and functioning of the respective society. The origin of such works is based on Durkheim’s interest on how the social order can be achieved as well as making the society to be relatively stable.
Dorothy Smith is a Canadian sociologist with diverse scholarly interests in disciplines such as education, women, and family studies as well as focus on the feminist theory and methodology. Smith is known for her contribution in further shaping and developing the Standpoint theory that was earlier proposed by feminist theorist Sandra Harding in the 1960s (Campbell, 2003). The Standpoint theory is a feminist philosophy that argues that knowledge originates from the social activities. Smith argues that women have been objectified by the society and their works have not been considered as source of any substantial knowledge.
References
Campbell, M. (2003). Dorothy Smith and knowing the world we live in. J. Soc. & Soc. Welfare, 30, 3.
Durkheim, E. (2009). Sociology and Philosophy (Routledge Revivals). Routledge.
