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Introduction
George Henry Lewes was a 19th-century English philosopher, literary critic, and science writer. -
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A Biographical History of Philosophy
He made significant contributions to the philosophy of science, particularly through his advocacy of positivism and the ideas of the French philosopher Auguste Comte. -
Comte's Philosophy of the Sciences
Lewes was strongly influenced by Comte's philosophy, which emphasized the importance of empirical evidence and scientific investigation in understanding the world. In his 1853 publication, "Comte's Philosophy of the Sciences," Lewes explored Comte's ideas on the development of science and the role of science in society. He argued that science could provide a foundation for social and political reform and that scientific knowledge could lead to the improvement of human welfare. -
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The Physiology of Common Life
In addition to his work on positivism, Lewes also wrote extensively on the philosophy of mind and consciousness. -
The Principles of Success in Literature
He was a close friend of the writer George Eliot and collaborated with her on several projects, including a translation of Spinoza's Ethics. -
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Problems of Life and Mind
He was interested in the relationship between the brain and consciousness and was one of the first philosophers to propose that consciousness was an emergent property of the brain. Lewes was also a prominent literary critic and wrote influential works on the history of drama and the theory of literature.