L'individualismo metodologico in sociologia: Published in Sociologia n. 2/2015. Rivista quadrimestrale di Scienze Storiche e Sociali. Virtuosità e corruzione dell'individualismo

This paper aims at showing that the sociology began its modern development with the Scottish moralists of 18th century – Hume and Smith – and their forerunner Mandeville. They “discovered” that the social order should not be “given” by a superior being to subjects who operate in society but that order can be the unintentional result of the actions of individuals. This individualistic and evolutionary conception of society achieved full stature particularly in the work of Spencer, Simmel, Weber, Merton and Boudon.