Modern History Sourcebook:
Auguste Comte (1798-1857):
A General View of Positivism
Positivism consists essentially of a Philosophy and a Polity. These can never be
dissevered; the former being the basis, and the latter the end of one comprehensive
system, in which our intellectual faculties and our social sympathies are brought into
close correlation with each other. For, in the first place, the science of Society,
besides being more important than any other, supplies the only logical and scientific link
by which all our varied observations of phenomena can be brought into one consistent
whole. Of this science it is even more true than of any of the preceding sciences, that
its real character cannot be understood without explaining its exact relation in all
general features with the art corresponding to it. Now here we find a coincidence which is
assuredly not fortuitous. At the very time when the theory of society is being laid down,
an immense sphere is opened for the application of that theory; the direction, namely, of
the social regeneration of Western Europe. For, if we take another point of view, and look
at the great crisis of modern history, as its character is displayed in the natural course
of events, it becomes every day more evident how hopeless is the task of reconstructing
political institutions without the previous remodelling of opinion and of life. To form
then a satisfactory synthesis of all human conceptions is the most urgent of our social
wants: and it is needed equally for the sake of Order and of Progress. During the gradual
accomplishment of this great philosophical work, a new moral power will arise spontaneously throughout the West, which, as its influence increases,
will lay down a definite basis for the reorganization of society. It will offer a general
system of education for the adoption of all civilized nations, and by this means will
supply in every department of public and private life fixed principles of judgment and of
conduct. Thus the intellectual movement and the social crisis will be brought continually
into close connexion with each other. Both will combine to prepare the advanced portion of
humanity for the acceptance of a true spiritual power, a power more coherent, as well as
more progressive, than the noble but premature attempt of mediaeval Catholicism....The regenerating doctrine cannot do its work without adherents; in what quarter should
we hope to find them? Now, with individual exceptions of great value, we cannot expect the
adhesion of any of the upper classes in society. They are all more or less under the
influence of baseless metaphysical theories, and of aristocratic self-seeking. They are
absorbed in blind political agitation and in disputes for the possession of the useless
remnants of the old theological and military system. Their action only tends to prolong
the revolutionary state indefinitely, and can never result in true social renovation.Whether we regard its intellectual character or its social objects, it is certain that
Positivism must look elsewhere for support. It will find a welcome in those classes only
whose good sense has been left unimpaired by our vicious system of education, and whose
generous sympathies are allowed to develop themselves freely. It is among women,
therefore, and among the working classes that the heartiest supporters of the new doctrine
will be found. it is intended, indeed, ultimately for all classes of society. But it will
never gain much real influence over the higher ranks till it is forced upon their notice
by these powerful patrons. When the work of spiritual reorganization is completed, it is
on them that its maintenance will principally depend; and so too, their combined aid is
necessary for its commencement. Having but little influence in political government, they
are the more likely to appreciate the need of a moral government, the special object of
which it will be to protect them against the oppressive action of the temporal power.…It is from the feminine aspect only that human life, whether individually or
collectively considered, can really be comprehended as a whole. For the only basis on
which a system really embracing all the requirements of life can be formed, is the
subordination of intellect to social feeling: a subordination which we find directly
represented in the womanly type of character, whether regarded in its personal or social
relations. . . .... The great object which Positivism sets before us individually and socially,
is the endeavour to become more perfect. The highest importance is attached therefore to
the imaginative faculties, because in every sphere with which they deal they stimulate the
sense of perfection. Limited as my explanations in this work must be, I shall be able to
show that Positivism, while opening out a new and wide field for supplies in the same
spontaneous way new means of expression.I shall thus have sketched with some detail the true character of the regenerating
doctrine. All its principal aspects will have been considered. Beginning with its
philosophical basis, I pass by natural transitions to its political purpose; thence to its
action upon the people ' Its influence with women, and lastly, to its esthetic power. In
concluding this work, which is but the introduction to a larger treatise, I have only to
speak of the conception which unites all these various aspects. As summed up in the
positivist motto, Love, Order, Progress, they lead us to the conception of
Humanity, which implicitly involves and gives new force to each of them. Rightly
interpreting this conception, we view Positivism at last as a complete and consistent
whole. The subject will naturally lead us to speak in general terms of the future progress
of social regeneration, as far as the history of the past enables us to foresee it. The
movement originates in France, and is limited at first to the great family of Western
nations. I shall show that it will afterwards extend, in accordance with definite laws, to
the rest of the white race, and finally to the other two great races of man..
Source:From Auguste Comte, A General View of Positivism (London: Routledge and Sons,
1907), pp. 1-7
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