Sociology, a hybrid word brought into currency by Comte with the meaning of 'social politics,' deals with man as a social being (Aristotle's zōon politikon), and so has for its subject the origin, organisation, and development of human society and human culture, especially on the side of social and political institutions. The field of Anthropology (q.v.) is usually restricted to the discussion of the earlier stages of social development and survivals from that stage into the present. Speculation on the subjects included in the wide field of sociology is as old as literature; and the names of Plato, Aristotle, Hobbes, Vico, Herder occur as prominent amongst those who have dealt with its problems. But it was Comte who may be said to have made the first serious attempt to make sociology a science, and a sketch of his views will be found at POSITIVISM. The methods of modern sociology are, however, especially identified with the work of Herbert Spencer, who makes the science a series of generalisations on the correspondences and contrasts between individual organisms and communities or societies as social organisms, with their structures and functions, their periods of growth and decay. The forms of government—civil, ecclesiastical, military, industrial, ceremonial—are the structures of communities; sentiments, ideas, industrial processes, fine arts may be regarded as functions. See the article SPENCER, and his Principles of Sociology; ANTHROPOLOGY, CRIMINOLOGY, EVOLUTION, FAMILY, FEUDALISM, GOVERNMENT, MARRIAGE, POLITICAL ECONOMY, POLITICS, POOR-LAWS, PRISONS, SOCIALISM, WOMAN'S RIGHTS, and the works cited under these heads.
The name of SOCIAL SCIENCE has in Britain been specially given to the study of all that relates to the social improvement of the community. A society, called 'The National Association for the Promotion of Social Science,' was organised at a meeting held under Lord Brougham's auspices in July 1857, to consider the best means of uniting together all those interested in social improvement; and till 1884 held annual congresses in large towns throughout the United Kingdom. At the last congress the Association comprised five sections—(1) Jurisprudence and Amendment of the Law (sub-section, Repression of Crime); (2) Education; (3) Health; (4) Economy and Trade; (5) Art.