The Positive Philosophy of Auguste Comte |
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Page 44
... inductive generalization ; we must conclude that Mr. Spencer has committed himself to a general proposition , which a very slight consideration of truths perfectly known to him would have shown to be unsustainable . Again , in the very ...
... inductive generalization ; we must conclude that Mr. Spencer has committed himself to a general proposition , which a very slight consideration of truths perfectly known to him would have shown to be unsustainable . Again , in the very ...
Page 49
... inductive or deductive processes from observed sequences of phenomena . Nor could it be denied that the best writers on subjects upon which so many men of the highest mental capacity had em- ployed their powers , had accepted as ...
... inductive or deductive processes from observed sequences of phenomena . Nor could it be denied that the best writers on subjects upon which so many men of the highest mental capacity had em- ployed their powers , had accepted as ...
Page 52
... inductive inference is correct or not . Yet he does not , with Dr. Whewell , regard an inductive theory as proved if it accounts for the facts : on the contrary , he sets himself in the strongest oppo- sition to those scientific ...
... inductive inference is correct or not . Yet he does not , with Dr. Whewell , regard an inductive theory as proved if it accounts for the facts : on the contrary , he sets himself in the strongest oppo- sition to those scientific ...
Page 53
... inductive proof ; and , in as- signing none , he seems to give up as impracticable the main problem of Logic properly so called . At the be- ginning of his treatise , he speaks of a doctrine of Method , apart from particular ...
... inductive proof ; and , in as- signing none , he seems to give up as impracticable the main problem of Logic properly so called . At the be- ginning of his treatise , he speaks of a doctrine of Method , apart from particular ...
Page 55
... Inductive . " It is not irrelevant to state that M. Comte , soon after the publication of that work , expressed , both in a let-- ter ( published in M. Littré's volume ) and in print , his high approval of it ( especially of the Inductive ...
... Inductive . " It is not irrelevant to state that M. Comte , soon after the publication of that work , expressed , both in a let-- ter ( published in M. Littré's volume ) and in print , his high approval of it ( especially of the Inductive ...
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Common terms and phrases
abstract sciences Aristotle astronomy AUGUSTE COMTE believe cause character chemistry classification complete Comte's opinion conceived conception concrete sciences consists cultivated deems degree depend Descartes direct divine doctrine duty Electrology equally existence facts feelings give Grand Etre Herbert Spencer human nature idea important individual inductive intel intellectual intelligence invariable laws knowledge l'Humanité labor later less Littré logical luminiferous ether mankind means mental metaphysical mode mind mode of thought Monotheism moral necessary object organized phenomena Philosophie Positive Phrenology physical political Politique Positive Polytheism Posi Positive Philosophy positive science Positivism Positivist possible practical present prime number principle progress propensities Protestantism reason regards religion require rule says scientific sentiments Sir William Hamilton social society Sociology speculations Spencer Spiritual Power stage sufficient systematization theocracy theological mode theory Thermology thing thinkers thinks tion tive treatise true truths unity universal whole
Popular passages
Page 94 - Ideas do not govern and overthrow the world : the world is governed or overthrown by feelings, to which ideas serve only as guides.
Page 16 - Positive philosophy maintains that, within the existing order of the Universe, or rather of the part of it known to us, the direct determining cause of every phenomenon is not supernatural but natural. It is compatible with this to believe that the universe was created and even that it is continuously governed by an Intelligence, provided we admit that the intelligent Governor adheres to fixed laws, which are only modified or counteracted by other laws of the same dispensation, and are never either...
Page 78 - But as society proceeds in its development, its phenomena are determined, more and more, not by the simple tendencies of universal human nature, but by the accumulated influence of past generations over the present. The human beings themselves, on the laws of whose nature the facts of history depend, are not abstract or universal but historical human beings, already shaped, and made what they are, by human society.
Page 95 - All social phenomena are produced by the totality of human emotions and beliefs : of which the emotions are mainly pre-determined, while the beliefs are mainly post-determined. Men's desires are chiefly inherited ; but their beliefs are chiefly acquired, and depend on surrounding conditions ; and the most important surrounding conditions depend on the social state which the prevalent desires have produced. The social state at any time existing, is the resultant of all the ambitions, self-interests,...
Page 122 - Comte realised so fully as he has done all the majesty of which that idea is susceptible. It ascends into the unknown recesses of the past, embraces the manifold present, and descends into the indefinite and unforeseeable future. Forming a collective existence without assignable beginning or end, it appeals to that feeling of the infinite which is deeply rooted in human nature, and which seems necessary to the imposingness of all our highest conceptions.
Page 128 - May it not be the fact that mankind, who after all are made up of single human beings, obtain a greater sum of happiness when each pursues his own, under the rules and conditions required by the good of the rest, than when each makes the good of the rest his only object...
Page 111 - ... together with, not only the right and duty of advising and reproving all persons respecting both their public and their private life, but also a control (whether authoritative or only moral is not defined) over the speculative class itself, to prevent them from wasting time and ingenuity on inquiries and speculations of no value to mankind (among which he includes many now in high estimation), and compel them to employ all their powers on the investigations which may be judged, at the time, to...
Page 81 - In the phenomena of the social state, the collective phenomenon is more accessible to us than the parts of which it is composed. This is already, in a great degree, true of the mere animal body. It is essential to the idea of an organism, and it is even more true of the social organism than of the individual The state of every part of the social whole at any time is intimately connected with the contemporaneous state of all the others. Religious belief) philosophy, science, the...
Page 125 - ... ultimate standard of right and wrong, and because moral discipline consists in cultivating the utmost possible repugnance to all conduct injurious to the general good, M. Comte infers that the good of others is the only inducement on which we should allow ourselves to act; and that we should endeavour to starve the whole of the desires which point to our personal satisfaction, by denying them all gratification not strictly required by physical necessities. The golden rule of morality, in M. Comte's...
Page 13 - Thought to be—" that all phenomena, without exception, are governed by invariable laws, with which no volitions either natural or supernatural interfere...