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Sukanya Das, Lovely Professional University Unit-5: Hierarchy on Sciences

unit-5: Hierarchy on sciences notes

contents
Objectives
Introduction

5.1 Sociology – A New Science of Comte
5.2 Summary
5.3 Keywords
5.4 Review Questions
5.5 Further Readings

objectives

After studying this unit, the students will be able to:
y present the hierarchy of science according to Auguste Comte'
y Sociology to be included in the class of natural sciences,
y According to the gradation of the hierarchy, the sciences get more complex as the steps
increase,
y With the increase of complexity, their dependence on the other sciences also increase.

introduction

Background of the hierarchy of classification of sciences

Laying the foundation of his new social–science, ‘Sociology’ Compte mentioned the three states
of human thinking–spiritual, metaphysical and scientific/positive steps – and at the same time he
presented a scientific method of action or ‘positivism.’ But he was not satisfied with just these deeds.
Like a true father, he wished to see his ‘Manas putra’ sociology, reputed and the world of science. After
the law of three stages and ‘positivism’ Comte prepared the classification of the sciences in the form
of ‘The Hierarchy of Sciences’, so that he could achieve an established scientific state for Sociology.
Professor Bogardus has written that “Comte’s plan for the third phase was the classification of the
sciences, within which Sociology was shown to be the newest albeit, the highest in the hierarchy of
sciences.”
In this respect it is important to remember that greek thinkers too had classified the sciences under three
parts, and they were – Physics, ethics and political science. Well known philosopher, Baken has also
mentioned three studies related to the three abilities of the human mental powers – memory power,
imaginative power and reasoning power. The three subjects are – history, literature and science.
Comte got the idea of the classification of science from St. Simon. Though he agreed with St. Simon
that science should be classified scientifically, yet he did not agree with the classification of St. Simon.
Comte claimed that he could present a more scientific classification or hierarchy of science than St.
Simon. He mentioned these principles in his ‘Positive Philosophy’. The intention of Comte in writing

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