Which period is most closely associated with the rise of sociological thought and the development of ideas that influenced early sociologists?

The period most closely associated with the rise of sociological thought is the 19th century, a time of great social change due to the Industrial Revolution. As societies shifted from rural to urban living, people began to notice new social issues, like poverty and inequality, prompting thinkers to explore how society functions. Early sociologists, like Auguste Comte and Karl Marx, developed ideas about social structures and class struggles, which helped shape the field of sociology. For example, Comte introduced the idea of positivism, suggesting that society could be studied scientifically, similar to the natural sciences. This focus on understanding social behavior laid the groundwork for sociology as a discipline.