Key Concepts in Sociology and Philosophy
Mass Psychology
Mass: People lose their individuality in the mass due to the development of a collective consciousness or spirit. This phenomenon, described by French sociologist Gustave Le Bon, involves a loss of rational control, increased suggestibility, emotional contagion, imitation, a feeling of omnipotence, and anonymity for the individual. This collective spirit, distinct from individual components, is often referred to as the “Soul of the Mass.”
Ethical and Economic Theories
Utilitarianism: This ethical theory, championed by Jeremy Bentham and James Mill, posits that the best state of affairs maximizes the sum of intrinsic value for individuals. Utilitarianism advocates for actions that lead to this optimal state. In economics, utility refers to the satisfaction of preferences, while in moral philosophy, it’s synonymous with happiness.
Invisible Hand: Adam Smith’s metaphor for the self-regulating capacity of free markets in economics.
Capital Gains: The difference between the cost of production (including labor and time) and the final selling price. Karl Marx argued that capitalists constantly seek to maximize these gains.
Sociological Concepts
Totem/Totem Behavior: As described by Émile Durkheim, this refers to the societal worship of a sacred symbol or sign. Totems often lead to ritualization and reinforce social cohesion through shared beliefs and practices.
Utopian Socialism: This movement emphasizes the creation of an ideal society characterized by peace, harmony, and equality, often incorporating elements of nature and industrialization.
Positivism: A philosophical current, advocated by Auguste Comte, asserting that authentic knowledge is exclusively scientific and derived through the scientific method.
Super Self: According to Sigmund Freud, this is the instance where human culture and societal norms interact with individual instincts, shaping our outward narrative.
Charismatic Power: Max Weber’s concept of informal power derived from an individual’s personal characteristics and ability to influence others. This type of power cannot be inherited or transferred.
Further Concepts and Definitions
Thomas Theorem: “If people define situations as real, they are real in their consequences.”
Unconscious: In Freudian psychology, the unconscious is a realm inaccessible to conscious thought but revealed through dreams, slips of the tongue, jokes, and symptoms. It exists both within the individual and outside conscious control.
Alienation: A state of separation from oneself, one’s work, or one’s essence. Karl Marx viewed it as the condition of the oppressed class in societies with private property.
Community: A group sharing common elements like language, customs, values, or location, often fostering a shared identity.
Modernity: Arising from the Industrial, Protestant, and Scientific Revolutions, modernity emphasizes progress, the future, and youth, contrasting with traditional societies focused on the past.
Pragmatism: A philosophical approach prioritizing practical consequences and results over abstract intellectual structures.
Functionalism: A psychological school of thought influenced by pragmatism and evolutionism, focusing on the function and purpose of mental processes.
Solidarity: A concept championed by Émile Durkheim, aiming to address social issues and improve welfare through collective effort and distribution of resources.
- Mechanical Solidarity: Characteristic of primitive communities, based on proximity, shared traditions, and homogeneity.
- Organic Solidarity: Found in modern societies with a complex division of labor, where interdependence and specialized functions create social bonds.