The term 'Sociology' was coined by a French philosopher named?

Appeared in: DSSSB - 29 August 2019 (Shift-2)

Explanation

Auguste Comte, a French philosopher, coined the term 'Sociology' in 1839.
He is recognized as the 'Father of Sociology' for his foundational work in establishing the field as a scientific discipline.
The term itself is a hybrid, derived from the Latin 'societus' (society) and the Greek 'logos' (study or science).

Option A: Aristotle was an ancient Greek philosopher who lived centuries before the establishment of sociology as a formal discipline.
Option C: Georg Simmel was an influential German sociologist, but he was a later figure who focused on social interaction and forms, not the person who coined the term.
Option D: Leopold von Wiese was a German sociologist known for his systematic classification of social relationships, but he did not coin the term 'sociology'.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Founder of Sociology as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Understanding sociology helps nurses appreciate the impact of culture, family, and community on a patient's health beliefs and behaviors.
It provides crucial insight into the social determinants of health (e.g., poverty, education, social support), enabling nurses to provide more holistic and culturally competent care.
What if? If a nurse ignores sociological factors, they might struggle to understand why a patient is non-adherent to a treatment plan that conflicts with their cultural norms or social realities, leading to poor health outcomes and a breakdown in the nurse-patient relationship.

How to Approach the Question

This is a factual recall question asking for the originator of a specific term.
Identify the key concepts in the question: the term 'Sociology' and its founder, who was a 'French philosopher'.
Evaluate each option based on historical and disciplinary context.
Recall or deduce that Auguste Comte is famously known as the 'Father of Sociology'.
Eliminate Aristotle, as he is an ancient Greek philosopher, not a 19th-century sociologist.
Recognize that Simmel and Von Wiese were later German sociologists, not the French founder of the discipline.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 Applied Sociology for Nurses TK Indrani pp. 29-31, 38-40, 34-36

Practise the full DSSSB - 29 August 2019 (Shift-2)

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.