We strive for accuracy and fairness.Comte’s second best known theory, that of the hierarchy of the sciences or classification of sciences is intimately connected with the law of three stages. Though self-centered and egocentric, Comte devoted himself to the betterment of society. Comte died of stomach cancer in Paris on September 5, 1857. His work was widely promulgated by Europe’s intellectuals and influenced the thinking of Karl Marx, John Stuart Mill and George Eliot. DeathĬomte continued to refine and promote his “new world order,” attempting to unify history, psychology and economics through the scientific understanding of society. In his formulation of a “religion of humanity,” Comte proposed a religious order based on reason and humanity, emphasizing morality as the cornerstone of human political organization. After her death, in 1846, Comte wrote the System of Positive Polity. Since she wasn’t divorced from her philandering husband, her relationship with Comte remained platonic, though the two were deeply in love. In 1844, Comte became involved with Clotilde de Vaux, a French aristocrat and writer. From then on, he relied on friends and benefactors to support him. That same year, he divorced his wife, Caroline Massin Comte, after 17 years of acrimonious marriage. During this time, he supported himself with a post at École Polytechnique, but clashed with administrators and was dismissed in 1842. Comte spent much of his life developing a philosophy for a new social order amidst all the chaos and uncertainty.Ĭomte’s efforts furthered the study of society and the development of sociology. Confidence in established beliefs and institutions was shattered. During this time, European society experienced violent conflict and feelings of alienation. He was born in the shadow of the French Revolution and as modern science and technology gave birth to the Industrial Revolution. Isidore Marie Auguste François Xavier Comte was born on January 19, 1798, in Montpellier, France. Comte's ideas and use of scientific methods greatly advanced the field. He rejected religion and royalty, focusing instead on the study of society, which he named 'sociology.' He broke the subject into two categories: the forces holding society together ('social statics') and those driving social change ('social dynamics'). Who Was Auguste Comte?įrench philosopher Auguste Comte grew up in the wake of the French Revolution. French philosopher Auguste Comte greatly advanced the field of social science, giving it the name 'sociology' and influenced many 19th-century social intellectuals.

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