The Positive Philosophy of Auguste Comte: Volume 1 (Cambridge Library Collection - Science and Religion)
Cambridge University Press
Edition: Abridged, 7/20/2009
EAN 9781108001199, ISBN10: 110800119X
Paperback, 524 pages, 21.6 x 14 x 3.3 cm
Language: English
Originally published in French
The Positive Philosophy of Auguste Comte is a condensed English version of the French philosopher's controversial work, freely translated by Harriet Martineau and published in two volumes in 1853. Martineau's abridged and more easily digestible version of Comte's work was intended to be readily accessible to a wide general readership, particularly those she felt to be morally and intellectually adrift, and Comte's philosophy indeed attracted a significant following in Britain in the later nineteenth century. Comte's 'doctrine' promoted personal and public ethics and social cohesion based no longer on metaphysics but on strict scientific method, and anticipated twentieth-century logical positivism and secular humanism. The first volume of this translation contains Parts 1 to 5 and sets out the nature and importance of positivism, leading on to an overview of the 'positive sciences': mathematics, astronomy, physics, chemistry and biology.
Introduction
1. Account of the aim of this work – View of the nature and importance of the Positive Philosophy
2. View of the hierarchy of the positive sciences
Part I. Mathematics
1. Mathematics, abstract and concrete
2. General view of mathematical analysis
3. General view of geometry
4. Rational mechanics
Part II. Astronomy
1. General view
2. Methods of study of astronomy
3. Geometrical phenomena of the heavenly bodies
4. Celestial statics
5. Celestial dynamics
6. Sidereal astronomy and cosmogony
Part III. Physics
1. General view
2. Barology
3. Thermology
4. Acoustics
5. Optics
6. Electrology
Part IV. Chemistry
1. General view
2. Inorganic Chemistry
3. Doctrine of definite proportions
4. The electro-chemical theory
5. Organic chemistry
Part V. Biology
1. General view of biology
2. Anatomical philosophy
3. Biotaxic philosophy
4. Organic or vegetative life
5. The animal life
6. Intellectual and moral or cerebral functions.