The Development of Sociological Theory - Article Example

The Development of Sociological Theory By + Introduction The text that is being analysed through a critical review and summary in this context is the “Opposition of the Materialist and Idealist Outlook,” a literary, sociological text that was authored by Karl Marx and Frederick Engels under the title of ‘Idealism and Materialism’. This text is principally based on the need to present an understanding into the concepts of idealism and materialism. In seeking to read and understand sociological books, this book presents information that takes into account the rise of sociological thought among the sociologists, as early as in the 18th Century, particularly for the period 1842 to 1845. This literary text, published in the year 1970 by Lawrence & Wishart, publishers based in London, seeks to examine the nature of sociological thought that was held by earlier sociologists such as Karl Marx and Fredrick Engels in relation to the concept of illusions of German ideology. Additionally, the text sought to determine the extent to which the transitive effects of the sociological thoughts in line with idealism and materialism as taught in various institutions led to the development of divergent schools of thoughts that further broadened the understanding of the field of sociology. Comprehension of the literary text The interest developed for the reading and analysis of this text is based on its significance to highlight the aspects of idealism and materialism, particularly in relation to the understanding of the German ideologists who know much about the unparalleled revolution that Germany underwent (Bratton, Denham & Deutschmann, 2009.p.63-72). In this, one is expected to gain from a wide base of knowledge; thus, as a student, one shall benefit from the study of this text by Marx and Frederick as it will enlighten and expound on their ability to apply critical thinking at all aspects of decision-making that they engage in. This text largely engages in the understanding of the theory of alienation as was being fronted by Karl Marx, which also formed the basis of the revolution in Germany; hence, the subsequent adoption of the ideology of idealism and materialism (Ritzer, 2003). Significantly, the concept of idealism and materialism as practiced in Germany under the illusion of ideology was as a result of the decomposition of the Hegelian philosophy that fermented universally and powers of nations and swept empires (Calhoun, 2012). In the German revolution, the main concern was in the manner in which principles played against each other with various ousting of each other, the minds of heroes overthrowing each other and sweeping away of the past. All these took place under the realm of pure thought. In the present-day society that we live in, the understanding of historical thoughts into sociology, particularly with regard to the aspects if idealism and materialism are essential as it helps in the definition of the problem of modernity and sociological theory, and aid in their further development (Delanty & Isin, 2003.p.186-191). Nations are known to base their actions and decisions on the ideas and material ownerships; hence, the discussions into the effects of idealism and materialism in shaping the ideologies of respective nations such as Germany. The two ideas as identified by Karl Marx and Frederick Engels draw significant attention based on the realisation of the extent to which their conceptualisations can be integrated into the understandings of deeper practice of sociological and cultural theories (Swedberg, 2003.p.75-83). This study purposes to provide a critical appraisal of the text with a clear emphasis on the illusion of ideology in Germany based on the two concepts of idealism and materialism. Summary of the text The German Ideology was written in 1845 while Karl Marx was staying in Brussels, and to which various sub-topics are well-defined by the proceedings that took place in the global scale. One such occurrence was in relation to the illusion of ideologies in Germany. In doing this, he majored on two concepts that were definitive of the current affairs that were taking place in Germany at that particular period. Karl Marx was co-authored in the writing of this text by Frederick Engels, and together, they sought to provide definitive understandings into the nature and contexts of revolutions that were taking place; a reference point being the France Revolution (Adams & Sydie, 2001). Hearing of the German ideologists, the text notes that Germany had undergone a period of unparalleled revolution as a result of the decomposition of the Hegelian philosophy as started by Strauss and globally adopted through the fermentation into of sweeping ‘powers of the past.’ In the chaos, mighty empires rose to encounter sudden doom while heroes emerged shortly and were hurled by stronger rivals into obscurity (Swingewood, 2000.p.141-146). While each of these parts conveys different messages, they are interlinked in a manner that allows for the flow of ideas from one part to the next and subsequent parts. Each of these parts is used to express the author’s intention and purpose in a manner that critically assesses the works that had been done by former classical sociologists. Furthermore, Marx and Frederick lucidly present these concepts of idealism and materialism as portrayed in Germany in the text in a thoughtful manner that uncovers and presents an account to the rise of sociological thought. The development of the concept of history by Karl Marx, in which human activity plays a critical role, is a significant concept for the understanding of the illusions in German ideologies. Basically, the text is organised and centered around the themes of the actuality of living individuals, division of forms of property and labour, and on the essence of materialist conception of history or the social being and social consciousness of individuals (Dunlap, 2002.p.221-237). The arrangement of the text’s topics begins with the analysis of the origin of the revolution in Germany, particularly to its classical sociology, shifts to the examination of modern paradigms such as interactionism, functionalism, structuralism, and critical Marxism. Ultimately, the text structure ends with the discussion of the salient modern-day perspectives of sociological theory with precise prominence given to the consequence of idealism and materialism on world political, social, and economical economies. Systematically and comprehensively, the text engages with the sociological development theory critically; thus, presenting itself as a perfect reading companion to students pursuing a course in sociology by providing them with a path through competing perspectives that highlight the distinctive value and limitations in them (Delanty & Isin, 2003.p.186-191). Furthermore, the text offers a conclusive analysis of the various aspects highlighted in the main body from a critical perspective. It also critically reviews the new identity theories as have been developed because of the post-modernism and post-structuralism (Smelser, 2011.p.102-108). Therefore, due to its comprehensive nature, the text has the potential to integrate classical sociological thought into the discussion of modern-day issues in sociology through the application of various models or theories (Jayapalan, 2014.p.156-162). In all parts of this book, the students are presented with a problem-centered and thematic account of the development of idealism and materialism in Germany in the perspective of the change of modern sociological theory based on its origins. This is achieved through an enlightenment of the contemporary issues and debates associated with philosophy and the nature of modern society. Therefore, the book appears to be of a great value to students due to its accuracy, lucidity, and completeness of insight in its writing on the illusion of the German ideologies (Turner, 2010). In general, this text deals with the classical, modern and contemporary aspects of sociological theory through an ambitious and high regard for critical dialogue with the past, present, and future ideologists and sociologists. Through this, it is able to trace the abiding influences and preoccupations in the society, together with the tensions and developments of theoretical debates in analysing the sociological theories (Appelrouth & Edles, 2008). Based on this, and the ideal introduction offered in its writing, it can be noted that the text is superlative for social sciences students. In its nature and organisation form, the text originates with an investigation of the appearance of sociology as a discipline distinct of modernity and enlightenment rationalism. The development, presenting, and further analysis of the aspects of idealism and modernism by Marx and Frederick are a reflection into the development issues that nations are often faced with (Ritzer, 2014). Failure to address and embrace these concepts has often resulted in the rise of revolutions and toppling of governments, even in the modern settings of the world; thus, recognising the critique of the text as essential to assessing and contributing to sociological developments. Critique of the Text The context of this text is arranged in a manner that recognises the role of civil society to the development of the nation. Civil society defined the form of relationship existent in a nation such as Germany through the determination of the productive forces at the historical stages that led to the development of idealism and materialism concepts. A civil society is critical in the determination of idealism and materialism given that its premises bases on the simple and multiple structures of families. However, the absurdity can be associated with this pretext given that the conception of history may neglect the real relationships and confine to high-sounding dramas of states. The whole concept of material intercourse is embraced by civil society in this text to the extent that a definitive development stage of productive forces is recognised. As recognised in the text, the whole concepts of industrial and commercial lives of the development stage are likely to transcend the state, but continue to assert the foreign relations of a nationality. The emergence of the term ‘civil society’ was in the 18th Century when material goods relations had been extricated from the ancient and medieval communal society in Germany. From a materialist conception of history, it can be noted that history does not have an effect on the determination of materials a nation acquires. Instead, history can be perceived as a succession of separate generations that exploit capital funds, materials and productive forces for their benefit as handed down from previous generations. This context is ideal of the state of the economy in Germany at the time of the revolution; thus, resulting in the modification of the old traditions with new aspects and activities. In the text, the recognition of civil society in the management of the ideals and materials of the nation are identified as having speculatively distorted the form of economy; hence, making later history a goal of earlier histories. In this context, history is perceived as receiving special aims with one person rating with another. Based on this, the text shows that the transformation of history to world history based on the concepts of idealism and materialism is more than an act of self-consciousness metaphysical specter and a material and empirically certifiable act. The conception of history depends on the ability to expound on the process of production and to comprehend the form of interconnectedness of this with modes such as civil societies. Idealism and materialism as aspects largely practiced in Germany during the illusion of German ideologies provides for a platform for the comprehension of the forms of religion, philosophy, consciousness and ethics that are required to trace the origins of a country in respect to its mental criticism and idealistic view (Swingewood, 2000.p.121-126). Hence, the text revamps the empirical generalisations that has often been applied in sociology and discusses the societal matters in relation specific theories designed to highlight the new sociological concepts and assumptions. This implies that the use of sociological theories shall enable the evaluation of an individual’s state in relation to the whole social unit, whether school, family or state. Subsequently, the use of the sociological theories allows for the evaluation of the entire group based on the personalities’ qualities produced in its membership and the manifestation of the principles of human societal growth and development. Considering the theory of capitalism as fronted by Karl Max, and the concepts of idealism and materialism in the case of illusion of ideologies in Germany, the enhancement of sociological theories from classical sociology to modernity can be attributed to the revolutionary movements and governments that were devoted to the development of social and economic evolution. As such, it is imperative that the understanding of the concept of sociological thought be understood taking into consideration the fact that sociology, as a scientific study of linked societal ideas is the product of social relationship among members of the society. This is witnessed in the scientific organisation of sociological thought ideals while adopting a scientific criterion for the assessment of the validity (Shankar, 2006.p.45-49). Conclusion In summary, the presentation of the context of sociological thought is widely covered concept in this text, and to which the author gladly relates its aim to numerous sociological and critical thoughts. The sociological theory is essential as it casually develops explanations, penetrates relationships, and classifies concreteness of ideas in a modern world with the aim of developing well-balanced procedures (Bratton, Denham & Deutschmann, 2009.p.63-72). Productive forces, social forms of relations and the capital funds present context upon which the effects of idealism and materialism are viewed in the text, and the perceptions of the same to sociologists, philosophers, and ideologists (Calhoun, 2007). The text, thus, leads to the development and sustenance of critical thinking that allows for the seeking and analysis of deeper contexts of phenomena and new developments of life. It is expected that this book, provide further insights into the development of sociological ideas and the fronting of means of adjusting to human problems. References List ADAMS, B. N., & SYDIE, R. A. (2001). Sociological theory. Thousand Oaks, Calif: Pine Forge Press. APPELROUTH, S., & EDLES, L. D. (2008). Classical and contemporary sociological theory: text and readings. Los Angeles, Calif, Pine Forge Press. BRATTON, J., DENHAM, D., & DEUTSCHMANN, L. B. (2009). Capitalism and classical sociological theory. Toronto, University of Toronto Press. CALHOUN, C. J. (2007). Contemporary sociological theory. Malden, MA: Blackwell Pub. CALHOUN, C. J. (2012). Contemporary sociological theory. Chichester, West Sussex, John Wiley & Sons. DELANTY, G., & ISIN, E. F. (2003). Handbook of historical sociology. London [u.a.], Sage. DUNLAP, R. E. (2002). Sociological theory and the environment: classical foundations, contemporary insights. Lanham, Md, Rowman & Littlefield Publishers. 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