Final answer:
Karl Marx, Max Weber, and Emile Durkheim are recognized as the primary founders of the sociological discipline, each contributing unique theoretical perspectives on social organization and interaction.
Step-by-step explanation:
The individuals known as 'the founding fathers of the sociological discipline' are Karl Marx, Max Weber, and Emile Durkheim. These three classical sociologists developed different theoretical approaches to help understand the workings of societies. Marx is known for his analysis of society in terms of class struggle, Durkheim for his foundations of functionalism, and Weber for his in-depth analyses of governmental, religious, and educational institutions. While others like Auguste Comte and Herbert Spencer significantly contributed to sociology, it is Marx, Weber, and Durkheim who are most commonly recognized as the primary founders of the field.