Auguste Comte - Lei dos três estados

Summary

This video explores the beginnings of sociology, focusing on the contributions of Auguste Comte in the 18th century. Comte, driven by the social chaos in post-revolutionary France, sought to create a science of society, initially naming it 'social physics.' He proposed that society evolves through three stages: theological, metaphysical, and positive, with the positive stage being driven by reason and scientific knowledge. Comte believed that the rise of industrialism and scientific progress marked the positive state of society, although he later created the 'religion of humanity' after personal struggles. The video offers an insightful glimpse into early sociological thought and its evolution.

Takeaways

• 😀 Auguste Comte, a key figure in sociology, was deeply concerned with building a science of social science.
• 😀 Born in 1728 in Montpellier, France, Comte showed an early interest in human affairs and society.
• 😀 The period in which Comte lived was marked by the destruction of traditional social institutions, which led to disorder in France.
• 😀 Comte sought to create a theoretical science to explain society, influenced by the rising prominence of natural sciences during his time.
• 😀 He initially referred to sociology as 'social physics' to align it with the more respected natural sciences.
• 😀 Comte proposed the 'Law of Three Stages,' where societies evolve through theological, metaphysical, and positive states.
• 😀 The theological state is the first stage, where society's order is determined by supernatural beliefs.
• 😀 The metaphysical state follows, where reason begins to emerge, and questions about previous beliefs arise.
• 😀 The final stage is the positive state, where scientific knowledge and reason replace faith, bringing order to society.
• 😀 Comte believed that modern European society had reached the positive state, as science and reason gained prominence.
• 😀 Comte believed that industrialists would lead society in this new era, but later in life, he was disillusioned and created the 'religion of humanity.'

Q & A

Who is the central figure discussed in the video, and what is his contribution to sociology?

The central figure is Auguste Comte, who is credited with founding sociology and developing the theory of social physics. He sought to establish a scientific approach to studying society and believed that sociology should be a science that explains social order and progress.

Why did Comte choose the term 'social physics' for his approach to sociology?

Comte chose 'social physics' because, during his time, natural sciences were considered the top sciences. He believed sociology should mirror the scientific methods of these disciplines in order to study society more systematically and objectively.

What was the intellectual climate in France when Comte began his work on sociology?

Comte's work emerged during a period of violent social upheaval in France, following the destruction of the old regime's values, including the aristocracy and established social institutions. This created a sense of disorder, prompting Comte to develop a theory to explain and restore social order.

What are the 'three states' in Comte's theory, and what do they represent?

The 'three states' are the theological state, the metaphysical state, and the positive state. The theological state is based on belief in supernatural forces. The metaphysical state is marked by questioning and the use of reason. The positive state represents the scientific approach to understanding society, using reason and scientific methods to restore order.

How did Comte view the role of faith in social order?

In the theological state, faith in supernatural beings was central to maintaining social order. However, as society moved to the metaphysical and positive states, faith was gradually replaced by reason and scientific understanding as the foundation of social order.

What is Comte's view on the progression of societies through these three states?

Comte believed that all societies follow a linear progression through the three states: from the theological, to the metaphysical, and finally to the positive. This progression reflects the evolution of human thought from reliance on faith to reliance on reason and science.

What did Comte mean by 'positive' in the context of the positive state?

The positive state, according to Comte, is one where reason, based on scientific knowledge and methods, governs society. This state emphasizes the use of science to understand and organize reality, restoring order to society that was once provided by faith.

Why did Comte believe that industrialists were the most capable leaders in the positive state?

Comte believed that industrialists were well-suited to lead society in the positive state because they were at the forefront of scientific and technological advancements. These advancements, he argued, were essential for the progress of society and the maintenance of social order.

What was the impact of Comte's personal life on his later work?

The death of Comte's wife deeply affected him and led him to create the 'religion of humanity.' This was an attempt to provide a moral and spiritual framework for society, which could complement the scientific approach to social order that he had developed.

What is the significance of Comte's idea of 'progress' in his theory of sociology?

Comte's idea of progress is central to his positivist view of history. He believed that society continually evolves towards a higher order, with each stage building upon the previous one. This progress, he argued, would ultimately result in a scientifically ordered society.