The Positive Philosophy of Auguste Comte
2 Volume Paperback Set

Table of Contents

Volume I: 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
Volume II: Part VI. Social Physics:
1. Necessity and opportunities of this new science
2. Principal philosophical attempts to constitute a social science
3. Characteristics of the positive method in its application to social phenomena
4. Relation of sociology to the other departments of positive philosophy
5. Social statics, or theory of the spontaneous order of human society
6. Social dynamics, or theory of the natural progress of human society
7. Preparation of the historical question: First theological phase, fetichism – beginning of the theological and military system
8. Second phase, polytheism – development of the theological and military system.
9. Age of monotheism – modification of the theological and military system
10. Metaphysical state, and critical period of modern society
11. Rise of the elements of the positive state – preparation for social reorganisation
12. Review of the revolutionary crisis – ascertainment of the final tendency of modern society
13. Final estimate of the positive method
14. Estimate of the results of positive doctrine in its preparatory stage
15. Estimate of the final action of the positive philosophy.