The term sociology was coined by the French philosopher Auguste Comte in the early 19th century. Comte is often referred to as the father of sociology because he was one of the first to propose a systematic study of society and its dynamics.
Comte introduced the term in his work “Cours de Philosophie Positive” published in 1830-1842, where he aimed to establish a new scientific discipline that would study the laws governing society. He believed that just as the natural sciences sought to understand the physical world through observation and experimentation, sociology could provide insights into the social world.
Comte’s vision was to create a science that would promote social progress and improve society. He divided the study of sociology into different stages of human development, advocating for a scientific approach that relied on empirical observations and rationality. Through his efforts, sociology emerged as an important field of study in the social sciences.