Final answer:
The figures from the positivist-functionalists tradition listed are Auguste Comte, Emile Durkheim, and Talcott Parsons. They are placed in chronological order as Comte, Durkheim, and Parsons based on their contributions to sociology and the functionalist perspective.
Step-by-step explanation:
The prominent figures in the positivist-functionalists tradition among the options provided are Auguste Comte, Emile Durkheim, and Talcott Parsons. Jane Addams, although a significant figure in sociology, is not traditionally placed within this specific tradition. Thus, when ordering these sociologists chronologically based on their contributions, we have:
- Auguste Comte (1798-1857)
- Emile Durkheim (1858-1917)
- Talcott Parsons (1902-1979)
Auguste Comte is known as the father of sociology and positivism, and he laid the groundwork for the study of society as a distinct scientific discipline. Emile Durkheim then built upon the foundation of positivism, formalizing functionalism as a sociological perspective that studies societal institutions and their roles in maintaining social order. Talcott Parsons later developed these ideas further within the structural functionalist framework, focusing on the interrelations between societal parts and their functions.