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Auguste Comte
French philosopher who was known as the Father of sociology, establishing "the new subject in a systematic fashion" (Britannia). Comte developed the philosophy of positivism, which "is a system that confines itself to the data of experience and excludes a priori or metaphysical speculations" (Britannia). Encyclopædia Britannica, inc. (2023, May 1). Positivism. Encyclopædia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/positivism -
The Beginning
Auguste Comte born in Montpellier, France. Comte lived during "one of the most turbulent periods in European history." It allowed him to look on human society and "prescribe a system [that] could make order out of the chaos." -
Saint-Simon
Auguste Comte met Henri de Saint Simon and was appointed as a secretary for Saint-Simon. Comte was welcomed to the world of politics, allowing him to "publish a great number of articles, which placed him very much in the eye." -
The Starting Line
Comte lived upon Alfred de Vigny's words; "What is a great life? A thought of youth, executed by mature age." Comte was dismissed by Louis XVIII of his position at the Ecole Polytechnique and was looking for a job. Comte then turned to Saint-Simon, where he became exposed to "relative freedom." He took three ideas from Saint-Simon; "The contrast between organic and critical periods in history, Idea of Industrial Society, and the Idea of Spiritual Power." -
The Philosophical Considerations on Spiritual Power
Comte contains " the first and classical formulations of the two cornerstones of positivism: the law of the three stages, and the classification of science." It followed dogmatism and how it is the basic foundation of human cognition. The concept of faith, where the 'social theory of belief' correlates with the 'logical theory of authority.' -
Positive philosophy
Comte resumed hosting lectures on his system of positive philosophy after his incident of a nervous breakdown. However, through the help of his wife, Caroline Massin, he was able to continue teaching. His teaching career lasted 13 years and during period, he published "six volumes of his Course on Positive Philosophy." -
Comte's Disappearance
Comte experienced a self 'cerebral crisis' and "disappeared from the public scene." His course and teaching position with Ecole Institution was placed upon a hold. This blockage of time, allowed Comte the time for "founding a new science." -
Religion of Humanity
Comte separated from his wife and began a relationship with Clotide de Vaux, whom he 'idolized.' Clotide was his inspiration for the "Religion of Humanity, a secular creed intended for the veneration [of] humankind...the New Supreme Being." He later published his work in 1856, which became one of the volumes that completed his four-volume system of "Positive Polity, in which he completed his formulation of sociology." -
Clotilde de Vaux
Auguste Comte's romantic encounter with Clotide de Vaux changed his career. Due to Clotide's death in 1846 from tuberculosis; his ideal of positivism was "transformed into 'complete positivism', which is 'continuous dominance of the heart.' His work on complete positivism, changed how philosophy viewed religion. His sentiment for his loss of Clotide provided a representation for the role of women in "the positivist society he planned to establish." -
Deathbed
Auguste Comte passed away from stomach cancer, he was buried in the Pere Lachaise Cemetery. Comte was buried next to his inspiration and muse, Clotilde de Vaux. -
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References
Bourdeau, M. (2022, January 27). Auguste Comte. Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/comte/#ForYeaColSaiSimEarWri Encyclopædia Britannica, inc. (n.d.-a). Auguste Comte. Encyclopædia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Auguste-Comte Encyclopedia.com. (2023, June 24). ." Women in world history: A biographical encyclopedia. . encyclopedia.com. 26 may. 2023 https://www.encyclopedia.com. Encyclopedia.com.