Principles of Sociology

The work Principles of Sociology by Demetrio Porras is structured, first and foremost, within the framework of Panama's intellectual history, as a primary aspect to consider for its comprehension and relevance. Secondly, it must be understood within the context of the history of Positivism, both in Latin America and in our country.

It is valid to recognize that the nascent development of Sociology in Panama acknowledges Demetrio Porras as one of its fundamental pillars. Porras seeks to understand, starting from the question of what science is, what is meant by social science—not merely as a product of historical evolution, but through the construction of its object of study: society.

In this work, Porras takes an important step toward understanding the sociological discipline, drawing from texts produced by French sociology. He introduces the positivism of Auguste Comte and its method for explaining social phenomena, thus placing Panama on the then-uncharted path of sociological studies through the conceptual development of the pioneers of social science worldwide.