Adam Ferguson and the Beginnings of Modern Sociology : an Analysis of the Sociological Elements in His Writings With some Suggestions as to His Place in the History of Social Theory

Discusses 18th century social theory through the writings of Adam Ferguson, a philosopher and historian during the Scottish Enlightenment. Includes an overview of the history of social thought, along with an analysis of Ferguson's writings from a sociological viewpoint. Preface Table of Contents Introductorγ I. Introduction II. Historical Background Part I. Analysis of Ferguson’s Writings from a Sociological View-Point A. The Fundamental Approach III. The Fact and Foundations of Society IV. Social Change and Social Continuity V. The Nature of Human Society as Culture B. Social Evolution VI. The Nature and Course of Social Evolution VII. Factors in Social Evolution C. Society in its Static Aspects VIII. The Organization of Human Relationships IX. Language, Science, Art, Literature, Religion in Relation to Society D. The Meaning of Society and the Methods of its Study Χ. The Commercial and Political Arts in Relation to Progress and Decay XI. Ultimate Values in Human Society XII. Methodical Summary Part II. Ferguson’s Place in the History of Social Theory XIII. Origins and Antecedents XIV. Among his Contemporaries XV. Among his Contemporaries (Continued) XVI. Ferguson’s Relation to Chief Tendencies of Anglo-American Sociology Bibliography Index