Which of the following was a topic of study in early sociology?
a. Astrology
b. Economics
c. Physics
d. History
wouldn't it depend on when one thought"early" was? During 2000BC, with the greeks? In 1000AD, in China? During Compte's fanasy period? Karl Marx? Pick your time for early, then pick the answer. This was my exact frustration when I studied sociology at the University in 1960: the subject itself was so imprecise and illdefined, there were no answers, just opinions and speculations.
Economic
Astrology
astrology
Physics
The correct answer is d. History.
To arrive at this answer, we need to understand what early sociology entailed and identify which topics were studied in the field during that time.
Early sociology is a branch of sociology that emerged during the 19th century when sociologists were exploring methods to understand and explain society. During this period, scholars focused on various aspects of society and social interactions to develop sociological theories. While astrology, economics, and physics were important fields of study in their own right, they were not directly associated with early sociology.
Astrology is the study of celestial bodies and their influence on human affairs, which falls more under the domain of ancient and medieval beliefs rather than sociological inquiry.
Economics, as a social science, has a close relationship with sociology. However, during the early development of sociology, the focus was primarily on society and social interactions, rather than specific economic theories or analysis.
Physics is the natural science that studies matter, motion, and the fundamental nature of the universe. Although the insights from physics may indirectly influence sociological theories, it is not a specific topic studied in early sociology.
History, on the other hand, is the study of past events and their significance in shaping societies. Early sociologists recognized the importance of history in understanding how societies evolve and change over time. They studied historical events, social movements, and the impacts of various factors on social development to establish a comprehensive understanding of society.
Therefore, among the given options, history was a prominent topic of study in early sociology.