CLASSICAL SOCIOLOGICAL THINKERS

SOC 223
Lecture- 5
Today’s lecture focuses on

• Introduction to Comte
Auguste Comte
• Great French thinker
• Famous social philosopher
• The first sociologist
• Founder of Positivism
• He demanded that science of society (Sociology)
should be considered with other sciences
• Main works;
• The Prospectus of the Scientific Works Required for
the Reorganization of Society (1822)
• Positive Philosophy (1830-1842)
• Positive Polity (1851-1854)
Positivism

• Positivism reject the metaphysical opinion based on

the systematic observation and experiment
• Assert that the only true knowledge is scientific
knowledge
• The methods of physical science can be followed for
social sciences
• Comte used the term positivism into two different
ways:
• Positivism as a doctrine (way of thinking)
• Positivism as a method
Positivism as a Doctrine (Way of Thinking)

• Positivism is the way of thinking about;

• observation of social life can be created a reliable, valid
knowledge about how the social life works
• This philosophical position states that;
• knowledge can be derived only from sensory experience.
• Methods of the physical sciences are regarded as the only
accurate means of obtaining knowledge
• Therefore, social sciences should be limited to the use of
these methods
Positivism as a Method

• Comte conveyed the application of scientific method to

understand society and its changes

• Comte emphasised that Sociology must;

• depend on careful observation, usually based on
statistical measures
• Have to be less experimental than the physical sciences
because of the ethical and practical difficulties occurring
in people’s lives
 Group Discussion
1. Formation of sociological theory
2. Auguste Comte and his contribution to development of
theory
3. Law of three stages and its connection with hierarchy of
sciences
4. Hierarchy of sciences
5. Summary of the group discussion
Dr Aswathy V K
28401
aswathy.28401@lpu.co.in
9526277463

Thank You!