The history of the social sciences begun in the roots of ancient philosophy. In ancient history, there was no difference between Mathematics and the study of history, poetry or politics, only with the development of mathematical proof did there gradually arise a perceived difference between “scientific” disciplines and others such as the “humanities” or “liberal arts.”
The Age of Enlightenment saw a revolution within natural philosophy, changing the basic framework by which individuals understood what was “scientific”. In some quarters, the accelerating trend of mathematical studies presumed a reality independent of the observer and worked by its own rules. Social sciences came forth from the moral philosophy of the time and were influenced by the Age of Revolution, such as the Industrial Revolution and the French Revolution. The Social Sciences developed from the sciences (experimental and applied), or the systematic knowledge — bases or prescriptive practices, relating to the social improvement of a group of interacting entities.
According to Stearns et al. (2000) In the period of 1760
Some effort was spent on the study of man and society. Hobbes` Leviathan; Lock’s Two Treatises on Government; Vico`s New Science; and Montesquieu Spirit of Laws were all published in this period.
The revival of interest in social science occurred in the middle of the 18th century.
By the middle of 18th century, capitalism had begun to outgrow its early state and gradually it became the dominant socio-economic system in western and northern Europe.
In the second half of the 18th century, urbanization and population growth became accelerated, and during this period slums, alcoholism, brutality of manners etc. developed which were to become the targets of social reforms.
In the other half of the 18th century, in response to the above there is a multiplication of works with a scientific character
Auguste comte (1798–1853) invented the term sociology. He was the first to systematize and give a complete analysis of the principles of the positive character of the Social Sciences.
Montesquieu and Voltaire broke a new path for politics and history
According to Stearns et al. (2000) 19th Century Development
At the beginning of the 19th century, social science had attained in all the leading European countries a firm and respectable position.
In the 20th century we can also observe recurrent occasions when proposals for a generalized social science were made.
The contribution of Auguste Comte was accepted immediately; Emile Durkheim and the sociologists of the late century and early century were influenced by him.
Karl Marx gave the first general theory of social science
According to Stearns et al. (2000) 20th Century Development
If we examine the course of development of the various social science disciplines, we find that they follow, on the whole, a pattern through which the older natural sciences also passed.
At this stage the social science has become institutionalized to a high degree. It has now become a subject of research.
Lawrence A. Kempton in his article “Social Sciences Today” states that social science as science is very young and there is confusion with regards to its limits and boundaries.
History moves in to the humanities, economics becomes Mathematics, anthropology and psychology ally themselves with biology and the geography is at home with physical science.
While in its initial period, it may have been the pre-occupation of a group of semi-amateurs, philosopher, practical men in business and government, or gentleman of leisure; it now has become a subject of research on the part of academic specialists.
In the third and the most mature stage of discipline the battles over method have subsided, the theoretical rivalries tend to be submerged in the efforts to elaborate propositions bridging the differences and contributing towards the further progress of the discipline
Source:
Wilson, A. C. (2020). Disciplines and Ideas in Social Sciences (Alternative Delivery Mode) (2020 ed.). Department of Education. Disciplines and Ideas in the Social Sciences Self-Learning Modules (shsph.blogspot.com)