Final answer:
W.E.B. Du Bois criticized scientific sociology for potentially supporting the status quo due to its heavy reliance on empirical data without considering broader historical and social contexts.
Step-by-step explanation:
Criticism of scientific sociology for supporting the status quo can be traced back to the early critiques of positivism, a philosophy established by Auguste Comte. Comte's views on sociology were later contested by various thinkers who believed that by focusing solely on empirical research and ignoring the historical and social contexts, sociology could inadvertently maintain existing power structures. A notable critic was W.E.B. Du Bois, who argued that the scientific approach to sociology must be inclusive of qualitative data and the perspectives of the oppressed, effectively addressing the issue of systemic racism.