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Comte's theory attempted to explain the development of human understanding on the basis of human history. Comte formulated "the law of three stages" to explain the progress in knowledge that might be observed through the ages. The law consists of three different phases which follow each other. The first phase is teleological; it is manifested through a particular manner of causal explanation that tends to include mythological characters and gods that tend to be extremely anthropomorphic. An example of that stage can be well illustrated with the belief that the Romans adopted towards volcanic eruptions. The Romans believed that the god Vulcan lived in a volcanically active mountain. They thought that the smoke that rises from the mountain escapes from the chimney of Vulcan's blacksmith. The Romans believed that Vulcan was busy preparing weapons for the gods so they attributed the smoke and noise of the eruption to that activity. The second phase of Comte's law is metaphysical. It follows the teleological phase and it marks a development in human understanding. The anthropomorphic tendencies that were central to the teleological phase disappear. In the metaphysical stage people adopt a more abstract point of view regarding nature. They might speak about certain energies or forces that guide nature. For example, they might believe that the volcano erupts to release the energy that was contained in earth. The third phase that Comte mentions is scientific. In that phase the main goal is not to explain the events in nature, but to objectively observe and describe them. Thus, a volcanologist might observe the volcanic eruption and collect rock samples to study the effects and properties of lava. From those three stages we can trace the development of thought that occurs in a society. People move away from seeing their own qualities in nature to observing nature objectively, independent of themselves.

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Who thought that there is a scientific basis for social organization and action?

Émile Durkheim, a French sociologist, is known for his work on social theory and is one of the founders of modern sociology. He believed that there is a scientific basis for social organization and action, emphasizing the role of social facts and the importance of understanding the functioning of society through systematic observation and analysis.


What was Comte george de buffons evidence that the earth was much older than suggested in the bible?

In Les époques de la nature (1778) Buffon discussed the origins of the solar system, speculating that the planets had been created by comet collisions with the sun. He also suggested that the earth originated much earlier than the 4004 BC date proclaimed by Archbishop James Usher. Based on the cooling rate of iron, he calculated that the age of the earth was 75,000 years.


How long will bread take to mold?

Bread can start molding within 3-7 days under normal conditions, depending on factors like humidity, temperature, and exposure to air. Storing bread in a cool, dry place and sealing it in airtight containers can help delay mold growth.


Dynamic encounter theory?

☺Dynamic Encounter Theory☺It explains the historical originof the planets as a result of a near collision of the sunand comet.This is a theory proposed by Georges Leclerc, Comte de Buffon (1707-1788).He gave philosophical interpretations of life based on the formation of planets.


Who proposed a theory to explain origin of life on earth?

The primordial soup theory, proposed by Stanley Miller and Harold Urey in the 1950s, suggests that life on Earth originated from a soup of organic molecules formed from the chemical reactions in Earth's early atmosphere. This theory has been influential in understanding how life may have started on our planet.

Related Questions

What are the stages of social evolution according to comte?

Auguste Comte proposed three stages of social evolution: the theological stage, where societies are based on religious beliefs and superstitions; the metaphysical stage, where societies transition to more rational and abstract thinking; and the positivist stage, where societies embrace science and empirical evidence as the basis for understanding the world.


What is august Comte?

Auguste Comte was born on January 19, 1798.


Who was August comte?

A soldier in the us military


What are the contribution of Auguste Comte in sociology?

Comte coined the term "sociology" and may be viewed as its founder.Comte thought of sociology as a positivistic science.He elaborated four methods of sociology.He distinguished social statics from social dynamics.He offered a dialectical view of structural change.


How old was Comte de Mercy-Argenteau at death?

Comte de Mercy-Argenteau died on August 25, 1794 at the age of 67.


When did Comte de Mercy-Argenteau die?

Comte de Mercy-Argenteau was born on April 20, 1727.


Shelton says that we must solve issues instead of accepting them as they are. Which of Comte's law of three stages is he demonstrating?

Scientific


What early sociologist coined the term sociology in 1838?

August Comte (he was French)


Who is August kont?

The correct spelling is Auguste Comte. He is mostly known as a founder of sociology.


What historical events convinced August Comte that society needed to be guided by thinkers who understood social laws?

It was the French Revolution and its aftermath that convinced Auguste Comte that society needed to be guided by thinkers who understood social laws. Comte was a French philosopher.


What are the three stages through which human society is said to have passed?

Auguste Comte established these stages. These three stages through which human society is said to have passed are the Theocratic Stage, the Metaphysical Stage, and the Positivity stage.


Which Sociologist linked the incidence of suicide to the degree of social integration of different categories of people?

August Comte