Interdisciplinary journal focusing primarily on sociological, political science and historical perspectives on the issue of long-term social processes and trends, modernization, globalization tendency and impacts.
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HISTORICKÁ SOCIOLOGIE, Vol 10 No 1 (2018), 27–46
The French Revolution in Germany and the Origins of Sociology
Eric R. Lybeck
DOI: https://doi.org/10.14712/23363525.2018.37
published online: 28. 06. 2018
abstract
The French Revolution was central to the emergence of modern society, and by extension, modern social science. However, not only French scientists contributed to the invention of sociology, nor for that matter did sciences necessarily begin by emulating natural science. Instead, this paper argues for a different origin of sociology from the professional faculty of Law. This trajectory emerged in early nineteenth century Germany, not in emulation of the French Revolution, but as part of a broader conservative reaction to French rationalism and imperial hypocrisy. Understanding these origins not only help us better understand the familiar sociology of Max Weber, or even Marx and Durkheim who were trained in this legal scientific tradition; this historical understanding reveals an important relationship between sociology and the State as well as conservative politics.
keywords: Germany; Sociology; Law; Legal Science; Civil Service; Weber; Savigny
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