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Introduction to August Comte

Auguste Comte, a volatile Frenchman, philosopher, moralist and sociologist, traditionally

regarded as the father of sociology. He coined the term sociology and bee father of sociology. He

tried to create a new science of society, which would not only explain the past of mankind but

also predict its future course. Auguste Comte was born in France the year 1798. He invented anew discipline which he called at first social physics and changed it to sociology thereafter.

"Auguste Comte may be considered as first and foremost, sociologist of human and social unity"

so writes the French sociologist Raymond Aron. Important works are:

(1) Positive Philosophy (1830-42).

(2) Systems of positive polity (1851 -54)

(3) Religion of Humanity (1856).

His contribution to sociology can be divided into four categories. They are namely:-

(1) Classification and ordering of social sciences.

(2) The nature, method and scope of sociology.

(3) The law of three stages.

(4) The plan for social reconstruction.

(5) Positivism.

Comte lays out the basic principles of positivist science (deductive theory and inductive proof:and then treats order (social staticsrooted in morality, family, and ultimately government: and

change (social dynamicsrooted in economy but accommodated if not regulated by

government.Most important, he outlines his evolutionary theory of society: society evolves

from theological stasis (stability: stage 1) to metaphysical anarchy (change: stage 2) and, finally,

to positivist science (the synthesis of order and change: stage 3).

In this regard, Comte provides the basis for social science and positivist sociology, as it came to

dominate the Western world (particularly England, France, Germany, and the U.S.). His focus

on ideas (or, more accurately, on the basis for determining socially acceptable truththeology,

metaphysics, or positivism) provides an alternative to biologically based social darwinism (seeSpencer) and paves the way for Durkheims analysis of social statics/dynamics in material and

nonmaterial social facts, which ultimately led to Durkheims theory of solidarity and social

change (see Division of Labor). Comtes concern with the problem of order and change set the

intellectual (and political) agenda for Parsonian structural functionalism (which dominated

sociology in the U.S. between World War II and the 1960s (actually, well into the 1970s, and its

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influence is still evident)). In this regard, American sociologists of the 1950s considered Comte

the father of sociology.

Comtes goal was too Explain the pasto Predict the future

He first named the new science social physics. He later changed this to sociology.The word comes from the Greek soci which means society and the Latin ology

which means study of.Like all science, Comte believed that this new science of society

should be based on reasoning and observation.

Science attempted to explain all phenomena through theories based on natural laws.Sociology, Comte believed, should have the same goal: to discover the natural laws that

determine social stability and change. Further, like the natural sciences, sociology should

be used to create a better society

For Comte, the simple collection of facts was not enough. Facts cannot be observedwithout the guidance of some theory.

The sciences, according to Comte's "law", developed in the following order:Mathematics; Astronomy; Physics; Chemistry;Biology; Psychology; Sociology

He differentiated between social statics and social dynamicssocialstatics (the ways in which the parts of a social system (social structures) interact

with one another eg. Individuals, the family, religion, language, and the division of labor,education, health care, criminal justice

social dynamics : a process of progressive evolution (via fixed, invariable linear stages)

in which people become cumulatively more intelligent and in which altruism eventually

triumphs over egoism. This process is one that people can modify or accelerate, but in the

end the laws of progressive development dictate the development of society.

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The Law of three stages

The evolution of society has paralleled the evolution of the individual mind. Phylogeny,

or the evolutionary and historical development of human societies parallels ontogeny, the

course of development of the individual human organism

Individuals, he maintained, passed through three stages. We are devout believers in

childhood, in adolescence we become metaphysicians, enamored of such concepts as fate,

essence, first causes, and other abstractions. Finally, as adults we become positivists,

relying on observation and reason for explanation

Mankind, too, has evolved through these three stages. Each of our leading

conceptionseach branch of our knowledge, passes through three theoretical

conditions.

Theological Stage Metaphysical Stage Scientific (or positive) Stage

1.Theological or Fictitious Stage

Universe is explained in terms of:

Gods Demons Mythological Beings

In the theological state, the human mind, seeking the essential nature of beings, the first

and final causes (the origin and purpose) of all effectssupposes all phenomena to be

produced by the immediate action of supernatural beings.

During the primitive stage, the early man believed that all phenomena of nature are the

creation of the divine or supernatural. The primitive man and children do not have the

scientific outlook, therefore it is characterised by unscientific outlook. They failed to

discover the natural causes of various phenomena and hence attributed them to

supernatural or divine power. For example, primitive men saw God everywhere in nature.

They supposed that excess or deficiency of rain due to Godly wrath; such a casual

explanation would be in terms of theological or fictitious explanation. The theological

stage of thinking may be divided into three sub-stages such as

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a) Fetishism.

b) Polytheism.

c) Monotheism.

a) Fetishism (Animism) was the primary stage of theological stage of thinking. During

this period primitive people believed that there is a living spirit in the nonliving objects.

This is otherwise known as animism. People worshipped inanimate objects like trees,

stones, a piece of wood, etc. These objects are considered as Fetish.

b) Polytheism means believing in many Gods. Primitive people believed that different

Gods control different natural forces. Each God had some definite function and his scope

and area of action was determined. For example, God of water, God of rain and God of

fire, God of air, etc.

c) Monotheism is the last and the most developed form of theological thinking.Monotheism means believing in one God or God in one

The Theological phase was seen from the perspective of nineteenth century France as

preceding the Enlightenment, in which man's place in society and society's restrictions

upon man were referenced to God. Comte believed all primitive societies went through

some period in which life is completely theocentric. In such societies, the family is the

prototypical social unit, and priests and military leaders hold sway. From there, societies

moved to the Metaphysical phase

2.Metaphysical Stage

Reality is explained in terms of abstractions:

Essence Existence Substance Accident

Metaphysical stage is an extension of theological stage. During this period, reason andrationality was growing. Reason replaced imagination. People tried to believe that God is

an abstract being. Soul is the spark of divine power i.e. inform of abstract forces. It is

believed that an abstract power or force guides and determines the events in the world.

Metaphysical thinking discards belief in concrete God. The nature of enquiry was legaland rational in nature. For example; Classical Hindu Indian society where the principle of

transmigration of soul, the conception of rebirth, notions of pursuant has were largely

governed by metaphysical uphill.

http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Francehttp://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Primitive_culturehttp://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Familyhttp://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Familyhttp://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Primitive_culturehttp://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/France

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In a nutshell during the metaphysical state the mind supposes abstract forces capable of

producing all phenomena

3.Scientific/Positive Stage

According to Comte, the metaphysical stage was just ending, giving way to the final, orpositive stage, in which explanations are based on scientific laws discovered through

Experimentation Observation Logic

This positive stage is also known a scientific stage. The dawn of 19th century marked the

beginning of this stage. It is characterised by scientific knowledge. In this stage, humanmind gave up the taken for granted approach. At this stage, human mind tried to establish

cause and affect relationship. Scientific knowledge is based on facts. Facts are collectedby observation and classification of phenomena.Positivism is a purely intellectual way of looking at the world. Positivism emphasises on

observation and classification of data and facts. One can observe uniformities or laws

about natural as well as social phenomena. Positivistic thinking is best suited to the need

of industrial society.In the final state, the positive state, the mind has given over thesearch for absolute notions, the origins and destination of the universe, and the causes of

phenomena, and applies itself to the study of their lawsthat is, their invariable relations

of succession and resemblance.

For Comte, each successive stage grew out of the preceding one. The constitution of thenew system cannot take place before the destruction of the old

Societies go through these stages as well:o Theological : The Ancient World. Dominated by military men, the basic societal

unit is the family

o Metaphysical : The Middle Ages. Under the sway of churchmen and lawyers. Thestate rises to social prominence

o Positive: Modern Age. This will be governed by industrial administrators andscientific moral guides. The whole human race becomes the main social unit

Other important factorsThough he insists that his intellectual evolution is the preponderant principle of social

evolution. He also commented on two other important factors that profoundly affect theevolution of society:

o Populationo Division of Labor

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Comtes Positive Contributions and Weaknesses

Ritzer and Goodman identify eight positive contributions that Comte made to sociology:

Comte coined the term sociology and may be viewed as its founder. Comte thought of sociology as a positivistic science. He elaborated four methods of sociology. He distinguished social statics from social dynamics. He was a macrosociologist. He viewed social structures as taming individual egoism. He offered a dialectical view of structural change. He attempted to integrate theory and practice.Ritzer and Goodman also identify ten basic weaknesses of Comtes work:

Comtes thought was distorted by his own experiences in life. He was out of touch with the real world. He was out of touch with other thinkers of his times. His empirical work is laughable, and his theoretical work far too generalized. His work is only marginally sociological. He made no original contributions to sociology. His sociology was primitive in its organicism i.e., he crudely viewed society in terms of

the workings of the human body.

Comte heavy-handedly imposed his theoretical frameworks on the data he was analyzing. His self-conceit led him to make many ridiculous pronouncements and blunders. His positivist religion is strangely similar to Catholicism, which casts doubt on his scientific

intentions.

His plans for the future appear totalitarian and bizarre.

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Comparison between Three stages

Stages

System Theological Metaphysical Positivistic

1.Cultural(moral)

system

a.Nature of Ideas Ideas are focused

on nonempiricalforces, spirits,

and beings in

the supernatural

realm

Ideas are focused

on the essencesof phenomena

and rejection

of appeals to

supernatural

Ideas are

developed fromobservation and

constrained by

the scientific

method;speculation

not based on

observation of

empirical facts isrejected

b. Spiritual leaders Priests Philosophers Scientists

2.Structural

(temporal) system

a. Most prominentunits

Kinship State Industry

b. Basis of Integration Attachment tosmall groups and

religious spirit;

use of coerciveforce to sustain

commitment to

religion

Control by state,military, and law

Mutualdependence;

coordination

of functions bystate and general

spirit

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Pakistani Societal Stage

According to my opinion the the concurrent stage prevalent in Pakistan is a transitional period

between theological and metaphysical state or you can say a combination of both.

Metaphysical element has been introduced to this era because of

Increased awareness among masses in rural areas Health facilities provided in different areas have paved the way to peoples thinking of

medicines and remedies to deal with diseases rather than thinking of jinn enticing a

persons soul.

In such state the human mind not directs its researches mainly towards the inner nature ofbeings, and towards the first and final causes of all the phenomena which it observesin

a word, towards absolute knowledge. Therefore they donot think that these phenomena as

being produced by the direct and continuous action of more or less numeroussupernatural agents, whose arbitrary intervention explains all the apparent anomalies of

the universe.

Education system improved in Pakistan in past few decadesTheological element to some extent exists in the present scenario due to many factors like

Majority of the people still have staunch beliefs in pirs and fakeers and blindly followtheir practices like amulets. Some people too practice black magic for their own desires.

Many people are still superstitious about supernatural things happening in their daily lifematters for example many people still consider passing of a black cat across their way to

be a bad omen.

Majority of people blindly follow their family traditions like marrying within yourrelatives or chosing your spouse belonging to the same caste.

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References

1. www.bolenderinitiatives.com/sociology/auguste-comte-1798-18572.

www.preservearticles.com/201104306124/what-are-the-major-contributions-of-auguste-comte-to-sociology.html

3. www.philosophy.lander.edu/ethics/notes-comte.html4. www.sociologyguide.com/social-change/evolutionary-theories.php5. www.humanistictexts.org/comte.htm6. wwwmedia.pfeiffer.edu/lridener/dss/Comte/COMTEW3.HTML7. www.philosophos.com/philosophical_connections/profile_082.html

http://www.bolenderinitiatives.com/sociology/auguste-comte-1798-1857http://www.bolenderinitiatives.com/sociology/auguste-comte-1798-1857