Meaning and usage of the word sociologist in English

The term "sociologist" emerged during the 19th century as sociology as a distinct academic discipline began to take shape. The discipline of sociology was primarily developed in response to new social and economic developments during the Industrial Revolution. In particular, the rapid transformation of societies from traditional, agricultural societies to urban, industrialized ones led to new social problems and inequalities that required explanation and analysis. The French philosopher and scholar Emile Durkheim is commonly credited with coining the term "sociologie" (sociology) in his influential book "Les Règles de la Métaphysique Empirique" ("Rules of Empirical Methodology") published in 1895. Durkheim proposed that sociology should be a scientific study of societies and social phenomena, and that sociologists should adopt a rigorous and empirical approach to their research. The word "sociologist" itself is made up of two Greek words: "sōziō," meaning "save" or "preserve," and "-logos," meaning "study" or "knowledge." Together, these roots suggest that sociologists are engaged in a quest for knowledge about society and its principles that can be used to preserve and improve social order and prevent social disruption. In short, a sociologist is a scholar who studies society and social behavior using scientific methods and a critical, empirical perspective in order to better understand and address the complex social issues that shape our world.