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Comte's 3 Stages of Society & Theory of Positivism

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Instructor: Wind Goodfriend

Wind has her PhD in Social Psychology and Master's in Social Psychology from Purdue University.

Cite this lesson

This lesson focuses on the theories of Auguste Comte. Specifically, Comte suggested that global society
has gone through three stages, called the theological stage, the metaphysical stage, and the scientific
stage. It also covers Comte's theory of 'positivism' and how science and society interact.

Who Was Comte?

When you look up at the night sky, you can see both stars and planets. What do you think the planets
are? This probably seems like a weird question - of course you know the planets are big balls of gas or
rock that revolve around the sun. But is that the same answer someone would have given a thousand
years ago? Do you think the answer might be different a thousand years in the future?

Our understanding of the world reflects how global society has changed over time and how people in
general understand our world. Philosophers have been talking about the nature of society for thousands
of years, going all the way back to ancient Chinese and Greek philosophers such as Confucius or Plato.
This lesson focuses on a much more modern theorist - a sociologist named Auguste Comte.

Comte is famous for being the person who actually came up with the term 'sociology' way back in 1838
to define the study of society. So what did Comte say about how global society has changed over time?

Three Stages to Society

Ancient people in the theological stage believed the planets were gods.

Comte believed that sociology could identify three major stages to the development of global society.
The first and earliest stage is called the theological stage. Starting at the very beginning of human beings
and social groups, Comte believed that in this stage, people viewed the world and events in that world as
a direct expression of the will of various gods. In other words, ancient people believed that everything
around them was a sign of active gods influencing their lives.

For example, ancient people actually believed that planets were gods in the sky, looking down on Earth.
Even the sun was part of the world of the gods; ancient Greeks believed the sun was one wheel on the
massive chariot steered by Apollo. If something bad happened, like a community experienced bad
weather or an earthquake, people in the theological stage would explain that event as a god being upset
and showing his or her anger to the people. In short, the theological stage meant that people used
supernatural or divine explanations to understand society and the world.

Comte's second stage of society is called the metaphysical stage. Comte said that this stage started
around the Middle Ages in Europe, or somewhere around the 1300s. In the metaphysical stage of
society, people viewed the world and events as natural reflections of human tendencies. People in this
stage still believed in divine powers or gods, but they believed that these beings are more abstract and
less directly involved in what happens on a daily basis. Instead, problems in the world are due to defects
in humanity.

An example of thinking in the metaphysical stage is people who believed that the planets were physical
objects in space but that they influenced people's lives via astrology. Do you know what astrological sign
you are? I was born in March, so I'm a Pisces. According to astrology, I'm supposed to be both
imaginative and secretive. The idea here is that societies in the metaphysical stage still believe in some
supernatural or magical aspects of life, but they are also rooted in the concrete parts of life.

People in the metaphysical stage tried potions to cure sickness.

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You are viewing lesson 3 in chapter 1 of the course:

Sociology 101: Intro to Sociology

14 chapters | 126 lessons | 10 flashcard sets

Ch 1. Introduction to Sociology: The Basics

What Is Sociology? - Definition, Themes & Careers in Sociology

5:50

Why Is Sociology Important? - Applications in Public Policy, Social Change & Personal Growth

7:19

Comte's 3 Stages of Society & Theory of Positivism

6:04

9:40

Next Lesson
Sociology's Four Theoretical Perspectives: Structural-Functional, Social Conflict, Feminism & Symbolic
Interactionism

Go to

Introduction to Sociology: The Basics

Ch 2. Key Sociology Theorists

Charles Horton Cooley: Looking Glass Self and the Effect of Primary Groups

7:46

Herbert Spencer: Theory & Social Darwinism

5:47

Gerhard Lenski's Theories of Sociocultural Evolution, Social Stratification & Technology

6:45

Karl Marx: Theory of Class Consciousness and False Consciousness

6:17

Karl Marx on Religion: How Religion Affects Social Inequality

4:28

Karl Marx's Theories: Class Differentiation and Revolution, Socialism & Capitalism

9:45

Bureaucracy: Max Weber's Theory of Impersonal Management

5:00

Emile Durkheim: Society, Integration Level & Suicide Study

5:43

Emile Durkheim's Theories: Functionalism, Anomie and Division of Labor

7:23

W.E.B. Du Bois: Theories, Accomplishments & Double Consciousness

5:28

Harriet Martineau: Theories and Contributions to Sociology

4:16

C. Wright Mills: Sociological Imagination and the Power Elite

8:43

Robert K. Merton: Theories and Functionalism

5:45

Erving Goffman's Theories: Impression Management, Dramaturgy & Symbolic Interaction

6:11

Go to

Key Sociology Theorists

Ch 3. Sociology Research Methods

Ch 4. Foundations of Society

Ch 5. Theories of Individual Social...

Ch 6. Social Groups & Organizations

Ch 7. Diversity in Society

Ch 8. Sex and Gender in Society

Ch 9. Race and Ethnicity in Society

Ch 10. Aging in Society

Ch 11. Economics and Politics

Ch 12. Social Institutions

Ch 13. Social Change Over Time

Ch 14. Studying for Sociology 101

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The Founding Fathers of Sociology

Social Science

THE FOUNDING FATHERS OF SOCIOLOGY

Sociology is the study of society of human social life, groups and societies.

Plato and Socrates argued about their thoughts and views on social behaviour, but they did not make
systematic observations to test their theories. Therefore, although their theories were valid arguments
they became known as philosophers not sociologists. However, they and their theories paved the way
for the science of sociology to develop.The difference between philosophy and sociology emerged in the
nineteenth century when philosophers began to use scientific methods in their studies.

French philosopher Auguste Comte [1789-1857] is often referred to as the father of sociology as he was
the one to coin the word in 1838, when he referred to the scientific study of society. Comte wrote and
believed that every society went through three stages of development – religious, metaphysical and
scientific. The religious and metaphysical stages were reliant on superstition and speculation but neither
could explain or understand society or its problems, he argued that scientific knowledge was needed,
based on social facts. In his general theory, the two branches of social study were – ‘statistics’, stating the
requirements for social order, and ‘dynamics’, emphasising the importance of the division of labour and
the process by which societies change. He believed sociologists would develop a scientific knowledge
that would guide society towards peaceful and orderly evolution.

Herbert Spencer [1820-1903] A social theorist and Englishman who believed society could be compared
to a living organism i.e. parts of an animal such as its heart, lungs etc, each part having its own function
to perform. Each of the parts was independent, but change in one of the parts would affect the animal
as a whole. The organisms parts in society being – The family, religion, government, industry etc. he
concluded that if society was left alone it would naturally correct its’ own problems through the process
of ‘survival of the fittest’. Therefore, Spencer believed the best thing a government could do was to leave
well alone as the laws of nature governed the fate of society.

Not so according to Karl Marx [1818-1883], he saw conflict, exploitation and the seeds of revolution.
Marx, a German who spent most of his life in England, claimed all societies past and present were
marked by social conflict, and that the primary feature of society was ‘class conflict’. Marx claimed the
class of capitalists (the bourgeoisies) owned the means of production and the labouring class (the
proletariat) were exploited. Furthermore, he claimed that the labourers were destined to overthrow the
capitalists and establish a classless society whereby everyone would work according to his ability and
receive according to his need. These three men respected and valued the need for science in the study
of societies, but they continued to debate and theorise without actually applying scientific study.
Therefore surely Comte, Spencer and Marx pioneered only the ‘idea’ of sociology.

Emile Durkheim [1858-1917] was the first to apply scientific methods to sociological study. He collected
masses of statistical data for his research into suicide. He then analyzed the data in order to discover the
cause. He argued that sociologists should not only observe societies but also examine the facts. His best-
known dictum is to ‘treat social facts as things’. Meaning social phenomena exist as an objective realm,
they are external to individuals and operate by their constraining influence on individuals. They are a
category of facts.

Max Weber [1864-1920] A German sociologist believed in a method he called ‘Verstehen’ (German for
understanding) or sympathetic understanding of the subject by putting oneself into the position of the
subject. By doing so, the sociologist could better understand the meanings of the subjects’ behaviour,
which could then be tested, through observation.

Therefore, I can only conclude that Plato, Socrates and the likes, paved the way for sociology, by
presenting their theories for Auguste Comte, Herbert Spencer and Karl Marx to expand, debate and re-
theorise. Nevertheless, Emile Durkheim was the first to apply scientific methods to the study of societies.
Auguste Comte gave sociology its name. Still the general belief is that Durkheim, Weber and Marx are
the trinity of classical sociologists and the founding fathers.

Related posts:

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Differences Betwen Sociology Anthropology and Psychology

The Founding Fathers of Sociology

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How the Earths Surface is Reshaped over Time

The Significance of the Greenland Ice Sheet

© 2017 Actforlibraries.org | All rights reserved

About & Disclaimer | Terms | Privacy | Contact

Home

Earth Science

Physical Science
Biology

Social Science

Medical Science

Mathematics

Paleontology

Health

Other

The Founding Fathers of Sociology

Social Science

THE FOUNDING FATHERS OF SOCIOLOGY

Sociology is the study of society of human social life, groups and societies.

Plato and Socrates argued about their thoughts and views on social behaviour, but they did not make
systematic observations to test their theories. Therefore, although their theories were valid arguments
they became known as philosophers not sociologists. However, they and their theories paved the way
for the science of sociology to develop.The difference between philosophy and sociology emerged in the
nineteenth century when philosophers began to use scientific methods in their studies.

French philosopher Auguste Comte [1789-1857] is often referred to as the father of sociology as he was
the one to coin the word in 1838, when he referred to the scientific study of society. Comte wrote and
believed that every society went through three stages of development – religious, metaphysical and
scientific. The religious and metaphysical stages were reliant on superstition and speculation but neither
could explain or understand society or its problems, he argued that scientific knowledge was needed,
based on social facts. In his general theory, the two branches of social study were – ‘statistics’, stating the
requirements for social order, and ‘dynamics’, emphasising the importance of the division of labour and
the process by which societies change. He believed sociologists would develop a scientific knowledge
that would guide society towards peaceful and orderly evolution.

Herbert Spencer [1820-1903] A social theorist and Englishman who believed society could be compared
to a living organism i.e. parts of an animal such as its heart, lungs etc, each part having its own function
to perform. Each of the parts was independent, but change in one of the parts would affect the animal
as a whole. The organisms parts in society being – The family, religion, government, industry etc. he
concluded that if society was left alone it would naturally correct its’ own problems through the process
of ‘survival of the fittest’. Therefore, Spencer believed the best thing a government could do was to leave
well alone as the laws of nature governed the fate of society.

Not so according to Karl Marx [1818-1883], he saw conflict, exploitation and the seeds of revolution.
Marx, a German who spent most of his life in England, claimed all societies past and present were
marked by social conflict, and that the primary feature of society was ‘class conflict’. Marx claimed the
class of capitalists (the bourgeoisies) owned the means of production and the labouring class (the
proletariat) were exploited. Furthermore, he claimed that the labourers were destined to overthrow the
capitalists and establish a classless society whereby everyone would work according to his ability and
receive according to his need. These three men respected and valued the need for science in the study
of societies, but they continued to debate and theorise without actually applying scientific study.
Therefore surely Comte, Spencer and Marx pioneered only the ‘idea’ of sociology.

Emile Durkheim [1858-1917] was the first to apply scientific methods to sociological study. He collected
masses of statistical data for his research into suicide. He then analyzed the data in order to discover the
cause. He argued that sociologists should not only observe societies but also examine the facts. His best-
known dictum is to ‘treat social facts as things’. Meaning social phenomena exist as an objective realm,
they are external to individuals and operate by their constraining influence on individuals. They are a
category of facts.

Max Weber [1864-1920] A German sociologist believed in a method he called ‘Verstehen’ (German for
understanding) or sympathetic understanding of the subject by putting oneself into the position of the
subject. By doing so, the sociologist could better understand the meanings of the subjects’ behaviour,
which could then be tested, through observation.

Therefore, I can only conclude that Plato, Socrates and the likes, paved the way for sociology, by
presenting their theories for Auguste Comte, Herbert Spencer and Karl Marx to expand, debate and re-
theorise. Nevertheless, Emile Durkheim was the first to apply scientific methods to the study of societies.
Auguste Comte gave sociology its name. Still the general belief is that Durkheim, Weber and Marx are
the trinity of classical sociologists and the founding fathers.

Related posts:

Sociology of Law Defined

Differences Betwen Sociology Anthropology and Psychology

The Founding Fathers of Sociology

Similarities between Sociology and Anthropology

Recent Articles

How the Earths Surface is Reshaped over Time

The Significance of the Greenland Ice Sheet

© 2017 Actforlibraries.org | All rights reserved

About & Disclaimer | Terms | Privacy | Contact