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Auguste Comte and Herbert Spencer - Sociology Theorists

In this stage Comte suggests that society seeks answer to absolute knowledge by explaining it as an act of nature essentially now replaces a supernatural being with nature. The third and final stage is the Positivist stage and in this stage Comte suggests that society surrenders their quest for absolutes and instead seek empirical knowledge and abstract law. .
             Spencer believed that the evolution of a society was based upon three dimensions and that was integration, heterogeneity and definiteness. With an increase in integration with come a more heterogeneous society. According to Spencer, a homogenous society are constantly changing and these change affect all parts of the entire system ultimately resulting in a heterogeneous system. Spencers third dimension is definiteness or in other words, segregation. Society is segregated and within those segregations has its own unique characteristics and when these segregated parts integrate it furthers the multiplication of effects (Ritzer 134). There are many differences regarding Comtes and Spencers political views. Comte felt that positivism was the only way a society could have both order and progress and should be led by a priest. Comte's positive philosophy was designed to counter the negative philosophy and its symptoms that he found all around him (Ritzer 109). Comte saw positivism as working to bring order within other sciences and it would do the same within sociology. From a moral standpoint, Comte believed in altruism. Comte believed that people should live for others as supposed to selfishly for themselves. Comte felt that egoism was a huge part in the decline of a society. Left to their own accord society would succumb selfishness and therefore outside forces such as the Religion for humanity is needed to help created an altruistic society. People cannot be left to the own devices; it would be a cause for complete and utter chaos where structure and order is needed.


Essays Related to Auguste Comte and Herbert Spencer - Sociology Theorists

1. The Evolutionary Nature Of Comte And Spencer

It has been argued that the theme of evolution runs through the work of both Auguste Comte and Herbert Spencer, perhaps as an attempt to legitimate the new social order. ... The evolutionary nature of Auguste Comte's theory of social change also appears to be an attempt to legitimate the new social order. ... (Comte, 16). ... (Comte, 16) Spencer's theory of social change also contains the influence of evolutionary thinking, as he saw society as an organism which evolved similar to the organisms of biology. ... (Spencer, 116)...

  • Word Count: 1058
  • Approx Pages: 4
  • Has Bibliography
  • Grade Level: High School

2. Theories of Sociology

The Theories of Sociology August Comte coined the termsociology? ... August Comte is regarded as thefather of sociology? ... Comte divided his studies of sociology into two aspects, which were social statics and social dynamics. ... Herbert Spencer was another major theorist that contributed greatly to the development of sociology. ... Just as Comte, Spencer also study theory in two divisions of statics and dynamics just in different venues. ...

  • Word Count: 1068
  • Approx Pages: 4

3. A Comparison and Contrasting of Marx and Comte

Two of these people were Karl Marx and Auguste Comte. ... Auguste Comte was born in France in 1798. ... His goal was to establish sociology as an intellectual disciple. ... Auguste Comte used a scientific approach called positivism as the basis of a new science of social order and development. ... Both Marx and Comte thought that sociology could be used to change the world as they knew it. ...

  • Word Count: 796
  • Approx Pages: 3
  • Grade Level: High School

4. A Comparison and Contrasting of Marx and Comte

Two of these people were Karl Marx and Auguste Comte. ... Auguste Comte was born in France in 1798. ... His goal was to establish sociology as an intellectual disciple. ... Auguste Comte used a scientific approach called positivism as the basis of a new science of social order and development. ... Both Marx and Comte thought that sociology could be used to change the world as they knew it. ...

  • Word Count: 796
  • Approx Pages: 3
  • Grade Level: High School

5. Paradigms In Sociology IIIII

The Sociological Paradigms The three sociological paradigms are all part of the sociological theory. ... Auguste Comte, Emile Durkheim, Herbert Spencer, Talcott Parsons and Robert Merton were all key contributors to the structural-functional paradigm. Auguste Comte associated this paradigm to whether there was integration taking place during social changes. ... Another important sociologist was Herbert Spencer. ... Talcott Parsons took and carried the ideas Comte, Durkheim, and Spencer and looked at society as a system. ...

  • Word Count: 1336
  • Approx Pages: 5
  • Has Bibliography
  • Grade Level: High School

6. Ideas On Sociology

Webster's Dictionary defines sociology very simply: the study of society and the development of human society. ... The most basic concept in sociology is the way people interact with each other. ... While the ideas of sociology were first introduced in the seventeenth century during the Enlightenment, it was not until French philosopher named Auguste Comte came along that the official term sociology was coined. ... George Herbert Mead was very important in American sociological developments. ... His studies and findings helped to broaden the view of sociology to i...

  • Word Count: 551
  • Approx Pages: 2
  • Grade Level: High School

7. Herbert Spencer

Herbert Spencer had two major evolutionary theories which included the size of societies and the evolution from militant to industrial societies. ... This idea of government having a hands off approach is something that Spencer agreed with. ... Spencer had the "survival of the fittest" ideology and if people couldn't do for themselves, then it's best they die off and not infect the world with their unfit offspring. ... Liberals have traditionally wanted more social programs while conservatives lined themselves closer to Spencer's ideas. ... Maybe if Spencer were around tod...

  • Word Count: 396
  • Approx Pages: 2
  • Grade Level: Undergraduate

8. Altruism

Altruistic or altruism is a concept in psychology and philosophy developed from a French Philosopher Auguste Comte. Comte laid claim to the French word altruisme, basing it on autrui meaning other person. ...

  • Word Count: 285
  • Approx Pages: 1
  • Grade Level: High School

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