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Unit-5: Hierarchy on Sciences

and Mathematics. It is an accepted fact that until we have obtained, with the help of Biology, some notes
knowledge about the rules related to life and living beings, how it is possible for us to understand
the life events? That is why according to the thinking of Comte, the study of every science should be
undertaken only in the order of its presentation in the above mentioned hierarchy. In this hierarchy,
the highest place is given to Sociology which in comparison to the other sciences is the newest the
most examined, special, and most complex science : now we will discuss this subject of Sociology.

5.1 sociology – a new science of comte

Comte was not satisfied by the prevalent methods of study of social events by the metaphysical and
religious techniques of his times. He gave maximum importance to the scientific methodology. That
is why even for the social study–activity, he was for bringing scientific work–order of observation,
research and classification system. For the fulfilment of this aim, Comtes wished to create such a
science that was completely free of then prevalent religious and metaphysical thinking, and which
studies social events in a scientific way. He believed that the study–field of social events was special,
which, after all expressed the community life of the individual person. Just as in Biology study all
rules connected to personal life was included, so too for the study of the fundamental rules related
to community life, study of a separate science was necessary.

Notes Comte first named this science as ‘Social Physics’ but then changed it in 1838 and
named his new science ‘Sociology’

Comte has given the definition of Sociology in these words,“Sociology is the science of social system
and development.” In this definition the importance of social ‘system’ and ‘development’ can be
described thus – society is a ‘system’; within this system, there are many gains. In other words society
is not a total system, but is made up of the unity of different parts. These parts are all related to and
dependent on each other. On this basis, Comte imagined a social maturity through he had given
strict warming not’ to confuse individual maturity with social maturity. He believed that there can
be similarity between the two which do exist but they are not the same thing. In social maturity like
in individual maturity, there is division of labour and specialization. Both are agreed; which means
according to Comte, there is interdependence and unity between the different parts. This unity is the
foundation of society. Sociology studies this system of social life in other words it studies the unity
between the different interdependent parts of society. The study–field of Sociology is not limited only
to this, because it is not only about social system, but also a science of social development.
According to Comte development is not only the primary objective of social system but its basic
right is progress. Man’s intellectual and moral development is social progress. In other words, social
progress is possible on the base of intellectual rules and theories. It should be remembered that in a
progressive social system, according to Comte, the most important class should be of priests. But these
priests would not be religious but sociologists, whose main activity should be to spread the theories
of sociology, and on whom would rest the extensive programme of progress and development. For
this reason Comte’s Sociology is the science of progress and social system.

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