Page 20 - DSOC401_SOCIOLOGICAL_THOUGHT_ENGLISH

Sociological Thought

notes will, no one has the right to question their just–injust intention. The breaking (breech) of these laws
is equivalent to breaking God’s law and such law breakers will be given the harshet punishment in
god’s court, the equivalent of which will be handed out by the king.

Notes According to the Bible, Adam and Eve were punished for eating the fruit of the
forbidden tree, and were thrown out of paradise. This is considered the prime
sin of mankind.

At this stage social control was through numerous folk tales, parable and allegories, and people had
to confirm quietly, for the feared god’s punishment in later life (after death).
2. During the Metaphysical stage, change take place in the event and form of the kings powers and
social organizations. The belief in divine powers is discarded in favour of natural rights. With this as
a base, man’s political relations are build and regulated. Social organizations in this stage are more
progressive than those of the first stage. At this stage the unlimited powers of the king is dimished,
and in its place, is seed is sown of the idea of individual’s freedom. But because this freedom is new for
everyone, it will naturally be misused by some. As a result, in this stage, inspite of the destruction of
the past and many superstitions, and inspite of the laying of a first foundation for the scientific stage,
this stage is still ruled by bloodshed and lawless chavs. In this stage also develops the importance
of church and priesthood. As examples, the 10 century and 15 century groups/comminities were
th
th
completely pure and for this reason their place is considered higher and purer than the kingdom/
king. ‘The popes claimed that as representatives of St. Peter, who had the powers to bind and free
men, in this and in the other world, so too they had similar powers. This right of popes was above
worldly matters, which the popes had allotted to kings and emperors. The emperor/king therefore
had rights/powers which were given to him, not by god, but by the pope. Therefore the stature of
the emperor was lower and under the stature of the Pope.”

Did You Know? Whatever Comte has said is only according to the evolutionary tradition.
In this sense Comte was a supported of the evolutionary thinking.

Task To what extent do you agree with Comte’s idea of evolution of social thought
process.

3. Third stage (Positive/Scientific Stage) is very different from the earlier 2 stage. In the above two stages,
societal system and social organizations were based on inspection, research and utility activity – course
which is systematic. The other reason is that thinkers in this state show an intellectualy, free flight of reason
and logic. These thinkers do not fall into the trap of searching for the ultimate reasons of events, nor waste
their time in giving abstract descriptions of rights. They keep themselves limited to the areas of experience
and inspection of evidence. In this way this stage produces atmosphere for the maximum development
of science; and for this reason they helped produce the industrial age. In this stage it is natural to produce
new inventions, and republican/democratic state–organizations gain importance. Natural resources can

14 LoVeLY professionaL uniVersitY