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Auguste Comte Early Life
French Philosopher Auguste Comte, originally known as Isidore Marie Auguste François Xavier Comte, was born January 19, 1798 in Montpellier, France. -
A Youthful Free Thinker
Comte was raised by extremely devout traditional Catholic parents. He vehemently disagreed with his parents views on religion and governmental matters. He even went as far to say he had "naturally ceased believing in God" by the age of 14. -
Higher Learning 1814-1816
Having always been an advanced learner, Comte chose to attend École Polytechnique at 16 years old. However, his education at the institution ended two years later after having participated in a protest at the school. -
Early Works
Comte wrote his first political essay My Thoughts: Humanity, truth, justice, liberty, the fatherland. Reconciliations between the regime of 1793 and that of 1816, address to the French people. He used this essay as a way to defend the Revolution and scientific progress. -
Early Works Cont'd
Comte wrote several pieces for Saint-Simon’s journals. He did not want his name attached to his works due to his family's opposing views. He began publishing the following journals from 1817-1824. l’Industrie (Industry) (1817 – 1818), Le Politique (Politics) (1819), l’Organisateur (1819 – 1820) and Du Système Industriel (On the Industrial System) (1820 – 22) and Le Catéchisme des Industriels (Catechism of the Industrialists) (1823 – 24) -
Independence
Comte began to publish his work independently for Le Censeur Européen, a leading journal of the liberal opposition of the period. -
The First Opuscule
In 1819 Comte wrote what would become part of a larger group of works titled The First Opuscule, which suggested only enlightened men be apart of politics, a massive change from his previous feelings on the matter. -
Official Debut
The Fundamental Opuscule was first published with the title Système de Politique Positive, volume 1, part 1, and the subtitle Plan for the Scientific Work Required for Society’s Reorganisation. -
Law of Three Stages
Having created the law of three stages, Comte believed that politics could now be considered “the rank of the sciences of observation.” Allowing scientists to create the spiritual doctrine needed to replace religion. -
Known for The Law of Three Stages
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Marriage
Comte marries French seamstress Caroline Massin. -
Teaching
Lack of finances forced Comte to return to work. He began to give lectures at his home. He taught fundamentals of mathematics, astronomy, physics, chemistry, physiology and, of course, ‘social physics.’ -
Mental Health Struggles
Comte began experiencing violent episodes, which soon resulted in a complete mental breakdown. He was delusional, paranoid, violent, and even suicidal. He had to quit teaching for two years -
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Semblance of Normalcy
Comte was well enough to resume teaching his. By 1829 the interest in his work had grown sufficiently for him to complete it at the prestigious Royal Athenaeum. Soon after, he began work on his Cours de Philosophie Positive (Course of Positive Philosophy). The new textbook developed in order to train future social scientists. -
Marriage Terminted
Caroline Massin and Auguste Comte divorced in 1842. His mental health, lack of money and his intimidation of intelligent women, which Massin was considered, were the main reasons for the demise of their relationship. -
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Back in Love
Comte met Clothilde de Vaux whom he fell deeply in love with. The relationship was short lived due to her death caused by tuberculosis the following year. -
Republilshed the Second Opuscule
Comte was considered being at his best when he published this work. -
Death
During his lifetime, Auguste Comte was vocal about his extreme views, and although word of his works had spread, they were also the cause for deteriorating and preventing close relationships. He died alone with no friends or family by his side
