==History==
The term sociology was coined by [[Auguste Comte]] in 1839. Comte is also the father of [[positivism]]. <ref> Pickering, M. (2007). Auguste Comte. In J. Scott (Ed.), ''Fifty key sociologists: the formative theorists'' (pp. 21-26). New York: Routledge.</ref> Comte's theory of positivism limits knowledge to the observable, and is crucial in approaching sociology as a science. The study of society dates back to Greek philosophers, however it was not distinguished as its own field of study until Comte.
<div style="font-size: 6em; color: red;">'''''Conservapedia is'''''</div>
<div style="font-size: 6em; color: red;">'''''corrupt'''''</div>
<div style="font-size: 6em; color: red;">'''''Asshole admins'''''</div>
<div style="font-size: 12em; color: red;">'''''Niggershit'''''</div>
==Key Theories==
There are a number of formative theorists who laid the groundwork for sociology, who have had a great deal of influence in Sociology through the following key theories: