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"The sacred formula of positivism: love as a principle, the order as a foundation, and progress as a goal." "The dead govern the living." "To understand a science it is necessary to know its history." "Men are not allowed to think freely about chemistry and biology: why should they be allowed to think freely about political philosophy?" (4)
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Auguste Comte explained that as the human mind is processed in stages so should society. With this in mind he created The Theory of Positivity in The Law of Three Stages. Theological - Humankind's superstitious nature, one that ascribes supernatural causes to the workings of the world. Metaphysical - Humanity begins to shed its superstitious nature. Positive - Human beings finally realize that natural phenomena and world events can be explained through reason and science.
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Comte developed what he called a "system of positive philosophy," in which logic and mathematics, combined with sensory experience, could better assist in understanding human relationships and action. He would then began teaching private lectures in 1826 on his system of positive philosophy, but he soon suffered a serious nervous breakdown. He wouldn't resume these lectures until a couple years after his marriage in 1829.
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Although Auguste Comte wrote many books there are three renowned books that stand out from the others. The Course on Positive Philosophy (1830–1842, six volumes, translated and condensed by Harriet Martineau as The Positive Philosophy of Auguste Comte); The System of Positive Polity, or Treatise on Sociology, Instituting the Religion of Humanity, (1851–1854, four volumes); and The Early Writings (1820–1829), where Comte influenced Saint-Simon, serving as his secretary for from 1817 to 1824.
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Auguste Comte is considered one of the founders of sociology. He contributed the term “sociology” by combining the Latin term socius (companion, associate) and the Greek term logia (study of, speech). He wanted to unify all sciences under sociology. With the theory in mind that following sociology would improve society.
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