This thesis displays the main features of the origin and development of sociology and how enlightenment played a crucial role in it. Considering the economic effects, the french and industrial revolution played the main role. On the other hand, when we look at the intelectual factors that had an effect on the origin and development of sociology, the focus is on the enlightenment and their opposite anti-enlightenment ideas. Some had emphazised ideas of conservative philosophy, while in other interpretations point more towards enlightenment ideas. The intelectual order of enlightenment had an effect on radical changes, while the principles of tradition and stability were replaced by inovation and change. The goal of enlightenment thinkers was that their ideas be used for the social world, especially for the critical analysis of that same world. The aforementioned period marks the humans belief to understand reality with reason and empirical research. Among the features of the enlightenment intelectual movement, the centerpiece is the idea od progress under which's influence were all of the sociologists of the 19th century. Through the ideas of Saint-Simone, Comte, Spencer, Marx, Durkheim and Weber, we display the progressive move towards the future of mankind where the social conditions of human life are improved as is man himself.