Giddings, Franklin Henry
Bio: (1855-1931) American sociologist. Franklin Giddings is considered one of the founders of sociology in the United States. Giddings began his academic career in 1888 at Bryn Mawr College, where he taught political science. He was a professor of sociology at Columbia University from 1894 to 1928. Giddings' sociology was influenced by Comte's positivism and Herbert Spencer's social Darwinism. Giddings is best known for the concept of "consciousness of kind", which he developed from the concept of "sympathy" of Adam Smith. People first strive to adapt their environment to themselves, and later to adapt themselves to the environment. People close to them act in a similar way, so there arises an idea of the similarity between external and internal stimuli. The resemblance is maintained by imitation and compassion. The consciousness of the kind arises from this similarity and represents organic compassion, love, and the desire for recognition. The consciousness of kind represents a common moral reaction and forms the basis of the state and society. Giddings also dealt with issues of social organization, social control and cooperation, social institutions, and the application of the quantitative method in sociology.
