Final answer:
Auguste Comte coined the term 'sociology' and emphasized the scientific study of society and its order. He differs from Karl Marx, who emphasized class struggle, and from Émile Durkheim, who focused on the interconnectivity of society's elements.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term sociology was first introduced by Auguste Comte, who is also considered a key figure in the founding of sociology. Comte placed emphasis on the study of society and its social order, aiming to analyze and improve it through scientific methodologies called positivism. Comte envisioned a process where sociologists could discover the underlying principles of society and thus contribute to its advancement.
In contrast to Comte, Karl Marx focused on the dynamics of class struggle and argued that the conflicts between classes were a primary driving force of historical and social change. Émile Durkheim, another pioneer sociologist, developed the functionalist perspective which emphasized the interconnectivity and function of society's components, rather than individual choice as a key driver of social dynamics.