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What are the major contributions of Auguste

Comte to Sociology?
Philosophical Views

Comte developed two words that are still important today - sociology and positivism. Comte is often
cited as the father of sociology because he coined the term and held the belief that this new, special
science could combine the findings of other sciences to form more whole ideas about the world.
Comte's positivism, then, came out of this belief that human society could be studied scientifically.
The theory of positivism holds that there is only real truth in scientific knowledge. However, sensory
experiences, gathered by humans about the world, are included in this category. Things like intuition
are not considered scientifically derived and, therefore, not valid truths.

Thinkers occupy a prime position in the development of any discipline, especially so in the social
sciences. Sociology 'is no exception to this rule, and in its emergence and develop a plethora of social
thinkers have made their contributions. Systematic study of sociology a science, particularly, as a
separate discipline, originated with Insider Auguste Francois M Xavier Comte during nineteenth
century. It is during this period modern sociology emerged the places like France, Germany and
England. Since then, galaxies of thinkers and writ have contributed to the development of
sociological thought. Auguste Comte, Herbert Spencer Emile Durkheim and Max Weber are the four
men who are regarded as the central figures founding fathers and the great masters of sociological
thought in the. Development of mod sociology.'
Auguste Comte, a volatile Frenchman, philosopher, moralist and sociologist, traditionally regarded
as the father of sociology. He coined the term sociology and bee father of sociology. He tried to create
a new science of society, which would not only explain the past of mankind but also predict its future
course. Auguste Comate was born in France the year 1798. He invented a new discipline which he
called at first social physics and changed it to sociology thereafter. "Auguste Comte may be
considered as first and foremost, sociologist of human and social unity" so writes the French
sociologist Raymond Aron. Important works are:
(1) Positive Philosophy (1830-42).
(2) Systems of positive polity (1851 -54)

(3) Religion of Humanity (1856).

His contribution to sociology can be divided into four categories. They are namely:(1) Classification and ordering of social sciences.
(2) The nature, method and scope of sociology.
(3) The law of three stages.
(4) The plan for social reconstruction.
(5) Positivism.
LAW OF THREE STAGES:
Auguste Comte was the first person to proclaim Law of Three stages, which became the corner stone
of his thought. Of course, this famous law had been borrowed from R. J. Turgot, Y. B.Vico and SaintSimon. The law states that human thought has undergone three separate stages in its evolution and
development. According to him human thought as well as social progress pass through three
important stages. These three stages are the universal law of human progress. These three stages are
common in case of the development of human knowledge as well as social evolution. Human
individual is a staunch believer during childhood, then becomes a critical metaphysician in
adolescence and becomes a natural Philosopher during manhood. A similar case of development
takes place in case of human society. Law of Three Stages not only talks about the progressive
transformation of society but also explain the transformation in minds of the people. The evolution
of human mind goes hand in hand with a typical form of organisation of society. The period of
growth and development in society is known as:
(1) Theological or Fictitious stage.
(2) Metaphysical' or Abstract stage.
(3) Positive or Scientific stage.
Comte stated that each succeeding stage is superior to the earlier stage.
Theological or Fictitious Stage:
During the primitive stage, the early man believed that all phenomena of nature are the creation of
the divine or supernatural. The primitive man and children do not have the scientific outlook,
therefore it is characterised by unscientific outlook. They failed to discover the natural causes of
various phenomena and hence attributed them to supernatural or divine power. For example,

primitive men saw God everywhere in nature. They supposed that excess or deficiency of rain due to
Godly wrath; such a casual explanation would be in terms of theological or fictitious explanation. The
theological stage of thinking may be divided into three sub-stages such as
a) Fetishism.
b) Polytheism.
c) Monotheism.
a) Fetishism was the primary stage of theological stage of thinking. During this period primitive
people believed that there is a living spirit in the nonliving objects. This is otherwise known as
animism. People worshipped inanimate objects like tress, stones, a piece of wood, etc. These objects
are considered as Fetish.
b) Polytheism means believing in many Gods. Primitive people believed that different Gods control
different natural forces. Each God had some definite function and his scope and area of action was
determined. For example, God of water, God of rain and God of fire, God of air, etc.
c) Monotheism is the last and the most developed form of theological thinking. Monotheism means
believing in one God or God in one.
Metaphysical or Abstract stage: Metaphysical stage is an extension of theological stage. During this period, reason and rationality
was growing. Reason replaced imagination. People tried to believe that God is an abstract being. Soul
is the spark of divine power i.e. inform of abstract forces. It is believed that an abstract power or
force guides and determines the events in the world. Metaphysical thinking discards belief in
concrete God. The nature of enquiry was legal and rational in nature. For example; Classical Hindu
Indian society where the principle of transmigration of soul, the conception of rebirth, notions of
pursuant has were largely governed by metaphysical uphill.
Positive or Scientific Stage:
This positive stage is also known a scientific stage. The dawn of 19th century marked the beginning of
this stage. It is characterised by scientific knowledge. In this stage, human mind gave up the taken
for granted approach. At this stage, human mind tried to establish cause and affect relationship.
Scientific knowledge is based on facts. Facts are collected by observation and classification of
phenomena.

Positivism is a purely intellectual way of looking at the world. Positivism emphasises on observation
and classification of data and facts. One can observe uniformities or laws about natural as well as
social phenomena. Positivistic thinking is best suited to the need of industrial society.
Criticisms:
The concept rational doesn't have universal meanings, what is rational to one society may not be to
society another.
Max Weber advocates that the nature of progress of society should not be studied by the
preconceived philosophical outlines rather they should be studied form objective and empirical stand
point.

http://sociology-4-all.blogspot.com/2009/03/contributions-of-comte-todevelopment.html

Contributions of Comte to the Development of Sociology As a Science

Monday, March 16, 2009 | Posted by Nimesh Suranga ( ) |
1.

Comte gave to 'sociology' its name and laid its foundation so that it could develop into an independent and
separate science.

2.

Comte's insistence on positive approach, objectivity and scientific attitude contributed to

the progress of social sciences in general.

3.

Comte, through his "Law of Three Stages" clearly establish the close association between intellectual
evolution and social progress.

4.

Comte, through classification of sciences drives home the fact that sociology depends heavily on
the achievements of other sciences. The 'interdisciplinary approach' of the modern times is in tune with
the Comtean view.

5.

Comte gave maximum importance to the scientific method. He criticised the attitude of the armchair
social philosophers and stressed the need to follow the method of science.

6.

Comte divided the study of sociology into two broad areas: "social statics" and "social
dynamics". Present day sociologists have retained them in the form of 'social structure and function' and
'social change and progress'.

7.

Comte upheld the 'moral order' in the society. The importance which he attached to morality highly
impressed the later writers such as Arnold Toynbee and Pitirim A. Sorokin.

8.

Comte also contributed to the development of theoretical sociology.

9.

Comte had argued that sociology was not just a "pure" science, but an "applied" science also.
He believed that sociology should help so solve the problems of society. This insistence on the practical
aspect of sociology led to the development of various applied fields of sociology such as "social work",
"social welfare".

10. Comte's famous books (i) 'Positive Philosophy' [in six volumes] and, (ii) "Positive Polity" [in four volumes] are
a memorable contributions to the development of sociological literature.