Comte, Martineau, and Marx by Joshua Abad

"The progress of the individual mind is not only an illustration, but an indirect evidence of that of the general mind." - August Comte (1798 - 1857)

     COMTE defines sociology as a positive science. For him, our society is like a physical world possessing operative laws, which can be understood by empirical evidence. he rejects introspection and intuition as the basis for truth. He is known for his philosophy of science or sociology called "Positivism". Comte being the most influential philosopher at the time believed that social improvement is possible by the aid of scientific understanding of society and systematic investigation of behavior of man. He postulated one universal law at work in all sciences called the "Law of Three Phases", namely:

• Theological Phase- wherein divine power is conceived as the principle of everything. it considers human development (social progress) based from divinity and attributed to divine forces.
• Metaphysical Phase- based from the perception that possibilities of every man come from abstract forces, thus, renders human development an inherent fact. Secular and liberal views are considered signs of true development.
• Scientific Phase- that human development is reinforced by scientific or positive means, in which all divine, abstract forces are discarded, and natural phenomena are explained by science.

"It is my deliberate opinion that the one essential requisite of human welfare in all ways is scientific knowledge of human nature." - Harriet Martineau (1802 - 1876)

     MARTINEAU is an English Sociologist and best known as the first woman sociologist. She rejected theology as the foundation for society and supported Darwin's theory as it was not theological. She sought for the development of secularism including the principle of progress.

"History calls those men the greatest who have ennobled themselves by working for the common good; experience acclaims as happiest the man who has made the greatest number of people happy." - Karl Marx (1818 - 1883)

     MARX offers alternative explanation to the overarching inevitable reality in all societies - the conflict. That man is born at the condition of abject poverty for being workers. And this alienation refers to workers having no due share with the products they made. Marx explains the there is always conflict in any society, and such conflict is always rooted in poverty as a consequence of the condition of workers. Thus, social conflict is essentially conflict between bourgeoisie (capitalists) and proletariat (workers).

          In my opinion, based on the three views and aspects, I personally support Comte's idea. It is because every single idea and concept of a person is a contribution to the so called "mother concept". Every one us has a different perspective toward each views in the society but it can be a great contribution to the real problem of the society which is lack of unity. We need to be united in order to surpass this sociological problem and as for Comte's idea it is a big illustration of what could be a possible solution to it.

Sociology in Different Views

an article of the different views of Sociology as tackled by Comte, Martineau and Marx by Ezra Soriano

Sociology is a ‘science of society’, making it unlike any other science present in the modern-day. Since it is a’ science of society’, it therefore called a positive science, according to Auguste Comte. Auguste Comte is the ‘Father of sociology’, he was the first to develop the concept hence, making him the first sociologist. He introduced the ‘Law of Three Phases’. It is in this law that he is known for being a social scientist and philosopher. The ‘Law of Three Phases’  basically presents the different progressions of man’s reasoning and understanding of the world around him. The Theological Phase- it is in this phase that man uses divine power as the principle of everything and there is no scientific involvement whatsoever. Next is the Metaphysical Phase states that perception and possibilities if man come from abstract forces thus, rendering human development as an inherent fact.  Secular and liberal views were developed during the period of Renaissance- an era greatly associated with this phase- and was considered a true sign of development. Last but not the least, the Scientific Phase, this phase is based on empirical data thus making it valid and truthful. In this phase, divine power and abstract forces are disregarded because these are not based on empirical data. All rational elements are not included in this phase. This phase is characterized by purely scientific means of attaining knowledge and reasoning. The ‘Theory of Evolution’ is greatly associated with this phase.

Harriet Martineau was an English sociologist, one of the first women to distinguish herself in a man’s field. Much like Comte’s understanding of sociology, she too, rejects all forms of irrational bases for reasoning (theology and abstract forces) and considers science as the most valid means of acquiring knowledge. She also stated that secularism ought to replace the religious world since it would hinder the progress if any fast growing state. She believed that general social laws should always be at work in any society in order to make a mature state since modern science is the most advanced product of man.

Karl Marx was a socio-political theorist who conceived the theory on conflicts in any society. These conflicts are often rooted from material inequality which is inherent in a capitalist state. It states that conflict can be eliminated if all workers unite. Marx believes that workers have power advantage over the capitalists.

In the advent of the modern society, the disparity between the capitalists and workers are becoming greater and greater. This is because society favors the capitalist because they can acquire numerous benefits in doing so. Marx stated that the key to conflict abolition is through mass opposition done by the workers of the state (for they are the force that drives the capitalist state and keeps it thriving) but, given the circumstances in the present-day society, it would take great and lengthy efforts for the workers to succeed, especially in a profit-driven society like ours. Equality is hard to achieve especially if the enemy holds great power and influence over the masses. It is a sad reality to face that we, humans, are living in a capitalist state and it would take a long period of time before the workers’ voices and concerns can be heard but through solidarity  among workers worldwide, equality can still be achieved by the masses.   

Sociologists and Anthropologists by Kent Lee

Auguste Comte was a French philosopher. He was a founder of the discipline of sociology and of the doctrine of positivism. He is sometimes regarded as the first philosopher of science in the modern sense of the term. For Comte, society is like a physical world possessing operative laws, which can be understood by empirical evidence. Comte rejects introspection and intuition as the basis for truth. He believes that society has gone through 3 phases, namely; Theological Phase, which is based from the perspective of medieval Europe. Metaphysical Phase, which is based from the perception that possibilities of every man come from abstract forces. Scientific Phase, which Comte refers to where people could find solutions to problems. For Comte, he believes that everything has a scientific explanation

Harriet Martineau is an English sociologist and the translator of Comte’s writings. She is best known as the first woman sociologist. She pushed for the development of secularism, and that secularism should replace the religious world. For her, modern science is the most advanced product of man.

Karl Marx is a socio-political German theorist. He sees that conflict is caused only by material inequality inherent in capitalist state. He explains that there is always conflict in every society, and such conflict is rooted in poverty as a consequence of the condition of the workers. Marx believes that workers have power advantage over the capitalists. He thinks that conflict can be removed by solidarity of workers. He then promotes communism and states that it shall facilitate man to fulfil his nature as a worker. Man is naturally a worker, so he should be treated with due respect and recognition for his work.

Among the three Sociologists, I would greatly support the theory of Karl Marx, which states “Every man is a worker and each worker should be recognized for his labour” every man should be given the respect and recognition due to him, and we should all look at each other equally, just as how our Creator sees all of us equally, regardless of the riches we have.  

Pioneers Of Sociology And Anthropology

Pioneers Of Sociology and Anthropology 

By Julienne Cabada 

        Auguste Comte is a well known philosopher for his study about social behaviour, its origins, development, organisation and institution or what we call, sociology or "positivism" which seeks truth only with valid knowledge. He believed that social improvement is possible by the aid of scientific understanding of society and systematic investigation of behaviour of man. Comte said that society has gone through three phases, namely, theological, wherein it considers human development based from divinity. Metaphysical, which is based from perception, that the possibilities of every man come from abstract forces this renders human development an inherited fact. And lastly, Scientific or positive perceptions, which Comte refers to where people could find solutions to social problems. He believed that everything can be explained scientifically. Scientific method (observation, experiment and comparison) is used to explain nature. The Theory of evolution is associated with this stage as well. 

While Harriet Martineau sought for the development of secularism, stating that secularism ought to replace the religious world. She believed that modern science is the most advanced product of man.
Karl Marx saw that conflict is caused by material inequality. Social conflict is a dispute between bourgeoisie (capitalists) and proletariat (workers). He believed that class struggle can be eliminated if all workers would unite. Conflit could be removed by solidarity among workers worldwide. Class conflict is eradicated by mass and revolution. Marx then proposes communism, which practices communal ownership, shall be created after the elimination of bourgeoisie. Man is naturally a worker, hence, man should be treated with due respect and recognition of his work. Marx thinks man is determined by material forces of the society. And man's primary concern is material efficiency. True social progress is found in the reduction of economic life of man. Economic welfare of society is the manifestation of social justice.

Among the three, I would greatly support the theory of Karl Marx which states that every man is a worker and each worker should be recognized by his labor. In our society today, it is visible that the rich is becoming richer and the poor is still poor. The workers are not receiving enough credit of their hardwork and most credits are given to the capitalist which for Marx is unfair. For the workers had most of the work than of the capitalist. If only the workers could stand for their right they would get the rightful amount of respect from the people. As what Marx said "man should be treated with due respect and recognition." Thus all of us, no matter how rich or poor we are, either a worker or a capitalist. We are still individuals with dignity and that we all should be treated equally. As for Comte and Martineu's theories, we live in a world where science is involved in everything that is around us and everything that we do. Everything has a scientific explanation. But, also there are religious beliefs and laws that confuses the people for there are beliefs that the people believe without the support of a scientific explanation. That then causes conflicts between individuals even to yourself. But, it is in the hand of beholder if one chooses to respect the beliefs of your religion or to science.