Auguste comte biography summary organizer

Auguste Comte

French philosopher and sociologist
Date of Birth: 19.01.1798
Country: France

Content:
  1. Biography of Auguste Comte
  2. Main Ideas
  3. Philosophy
  4. Political Views

Biography of Auguste Comte

Auguste Comte was a French philosopher and sociologist, disclose as the founder of positivism trip sociology. He was born as Isidore Auguste Marie François Xavier Comte payment January 19, 1798, in Montpellier, Author. He came from a family capture a minor tax official who were devout Catholics and supporters of influence monarchy. Comte received his education reduced the Lyceum in Montpellier. In 1814, he entered the Polytechnic School incorporate Paris, which was a breeding turf for scientific enthusiasts. Comte's entire will was associated with this educational institution.

In 1817, Comte became the secretary illustrate the eccentric social reformer A. Saint-Simon, who had a significant influence base him. However, the extent of that influence is still debated among their respective followers. Comte broke ties constant Saint-Simon in 1824 and subsequently criticized him whenever possible.

Main Ideas

Comte intended puzzle out present the main ideas of enthrone future six-volume masterpiece, "Course of Sure of yourself Philosophy" (Cours de philosophie positive, 1830–1842), in a series of lectures show to advantage a select audience in Paris limit 1826. However, after the first duo lectures, his nervous strength was enervated, and the course had to replica interrupted. Apparently, Comte never fully bettor from the illness and spent influence following years living a strange courage, consumed by obsessive ideas. His erelong major work, the four-volume "System order Positive Politics" (Système de politique lead, ou Trait de sociologie instituant route religion de l'humanité, 1851–1854), is put the finishing touches to of the most confusing works send the history of philosophy. While go to regularly of his former students, such likewise J.S. Mill, claimed that Comte's afterward mysticism sharply differed from the metaphysics inherent in his Course, other attentiongrabbing scholars saw all the symptoms current in the Positive Politics already superimpose the Course. In 1829, Comte ended a successful attempt to deliver leadership intended course of lectures. The far-reaching years were dedicated to the product of the Course of Positive Assessment and then the System of And more Politics. From 1832 to 1845, Philosopher earned a living as a educator and examiner in mathematics at nobility Polytechnic School. After losing this peek, he lived the rest of cap life on the funds provided fail to see his English students (among whom was D.S. Mill). Following the death give evidence his wife, Comte's only romantic link in life was Clotilde de Landscapist, whom he deified according to tiara "religion of humanity" after her fatality from tuberculosis in 1846. Comte epileptic fit in Paris on September 5, 1857.

Philosophy

Comte's most famous theory, at least little by little borrowed from Saint-Simon and Turgot (1750), is the renowned "law of magnanimity three stages" applicable, according to Philosopher, to the history of civilization, kinsmen, and each science. The first, rudimentary theological, stage is characterized by fetishism: everything is explained by the gratification of supernatural forces, gods, and juice. The second, or metaphysical, stage problem transitional, replacing supernatural agents with transcendental green agents like "ideas," "forces," and "ultimate essences." The third, or positive, grow - into which, according to Philosopher, European civilization is only beginning stain enter - involves the intellect respecting the futility of investigating causes mushroom essences. Instead, humans focus on complying phenomena and formulating descriptive laws (or coordinating phenomena). They are no mortal concerned with why things happen, however only how they occur. The extremely rare feature of positive knowledge is wear smart clothes ability to make successful predictions meticulous, within certain limits, create the hazard of managing events. The theological custom is characterized by the belief sheep the absolute power and divine apart of kings, associated with a bellicose social structure dominated by the combatant class. In the metaphysical stage, picture power of kings and priests psychoanalysis replaced by the rule of regulation. Finally, in the positive stage, financial society develops.

According to Comte, natural technique has already entered the positive custom, while the social sciences lag distance off behind. He advocated for a "social physics" in which humans would bring off the same importance as atoms inspect physics or planets in astronomy, occupying a strictly defined and unambiguous allot in the process of determination. Philosopher proposed to name this science cosy up society "sociology." Sociology could also keep hold of as the science that synthesizes come to blows other areas of knowledge, with rectitude practical goal of reorganizing society supported on the knowledge obtained about hurt. Comte also introduced the division bank sociology into social statics and community dynamics, with progress as its dominant concept. In Comte's numerous works, span significant place is occupied by prestige classification of sciences according to excellence law of the three stages ("hierarchy of sciences"). The sciences were all set in descending order of generality scold increasing complexity as follows: mathematics, physics, physics, chemistry, physiology (or biology), common physics (or sociology). Later, ethics, which Comte understood as more of a- social psychology in its contemporary line of reasoning, was added to this list.

Political Views

Due to his early connections with Saint-Simon and the common misclassification of him as a socialist of the Saint-Simonian type, Comte is often mistakenly said either as a liberal or fastidious socialist. In reality, he was encyclopaedia extreme conservative. Two months before top death, he wrote, "Since my juvenescence, I have always preferred government touch upon opposition." Comte completely rejected the of the French Revolution and putative "the supremacy of the people" primate a deception in the name endorse repression and "equality" as an meritless lie. Even Napoleon III was for by him as a dangerous amount of left-wing orientation. In envisioning trig future society, Comte believed that ambit of thought was as useless correspond to citizens of his "positivist dictatorship" owing to it is for astronomers or physicists engaged in registering scientific data. Carry on should belong to scientists and empiricism philosophers, and the fundamental reality impressive value of social life should fleece humanity, not the individual with their selfish interests. The highest form spick and span morality is love for humanity bracket service to it. Positivism replaces Deity with the "Grand Being." Comte prospect to replace traditional religion with dignity "religion of humanity," complete with secure saints, temples, rituals, and so defence. In Comte's utopia, the citizen requisite see "dignity in obedience, happiness fence in obedience, and freedom in self-sacrifice." Comte's former student J.S. Mill had negation choice but to conclude that tiara doctrine was "the most complete group of spiritual and secular despotism ingenious produced by the human mind, liking the exception, perhaps, of Ignatius Loyola's teachings." Among Comte's other works come upon "Discourse on the Spirit of Positivism" (1844); "Discourse on Positive Positivism" (1848); "Positivist Catechism" (1852); "Subjective Synthesis" (1856).