Final answer:
Auguste Comte, the French philosopher, developed the ideology of positivism and is considered the pioneer in applying the scientific method to the study of society, defining the discipline of sociology.
Step-by-step explanation:
The French philosopher Auguste Comte is widely recognized as the first to fully develop the concept of positivism, applying the scientific method to atudy sociology. Comte, who also introduced the term sociology, believed in the potential of social scientists to study society using the same scientific methods as in natural sciences to address societal issues like poor education and poverty. His significant contribution to sociology included the identification of the law of three stages of society development, culminating in the positivist stage where religion is rejected in favor of empirical observation and provable laws.
Comte's ideas later influenced American academia where prominent figures like W. E. B. Du Bois and Lester Ward further developed sociology into a practical discipline informed by empirical research. These early American sociologists adopted and tested European theories, helping to establish sociology as a respected academic field.