The father of sociology is Auguste Comte, a French philosopher who coined the term "sociology" in the early 19th century. Comte is recognized for introducing scientific methods to the study of society, promoting the idea that societal progress could be achieved through systematic observation and analysis. He proposed that human thought progresses through three stages: theological, metaphysical, and scientific. His work laid the groundwork for sociology as a discipline and deeply influenced future sociologists in their exploration of social structures, relationships, and institutions.