ABSTRACT
The middle decades of the nineteenth century are notable for a variety of ideas, both speculative and practical, which directly and indirectly contributed to the development of sociology. Broadly speaking, these ideas may be divided into three categories: Utopian ideas and the movements they gave rise to; philosophical thought about society as a whole; and attempts to carry out scientific social studies. Largely, they originated in France and Britain, but they exerted powerful influences on American thought and social life, often more so than in the countries of origin. Brisbane was clearly a speculative sociologist as well as a Utopian; so also was Masquerier. There were others, less obviously Utopian, but no less speculative. Speculative sociological writers such as those mentioned above all claimed to be scientific. In France, a writer appeared who not only laid claim to being scientific, but who succeeded in some measure in the attempt.
