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cess to the examination of a dependent class of phenomena.
Each of these great halves of natural philosophy has subdivisions.
Inorganic physics must, in accordance with our rule of generality and
the order of dependence of phenomena, be divided into two sections of
celestial and terrestrial phenomena. Thus we have Astronomy, geometri-
cal and mechanical, and Terrestrial Physics. The necessity of this divi-
sion is exactly the same as in the former case.
Astronomical phenomena are the most general, simple, and abstract
of all; and therefore the study of natural philosophy must clearly begin
with them. They are themselves independent, while the laws to which
they are subject influence all others whatsoever. The general effects of
gravitation preponderate, in all terrestrial phenomena, over all effects
which may be peculiar to them, and modify the original ones. It follows
that the analysis of the simplest terrestrial phenomenon, not only chemi-
cal, but even purely mechanical, presents a greater complication than
the most compound astronomical phenomenon. The most difficult as-
tronomical question involves less intricacy than the simple movement of
even a solid body, when the determining circumstances are to be com-
puted. Thus we see that we must separate these two studies and proceed
to the second only through the first, from which it is derived.
In the same manner, we find a natural division of Terrestrial Phys-
ics into two, according as we regard bodies in their mechanical or their
50/Auguste Comte
chemical character. Hence we have Physics, properly so called, and
Chemistry. Again, the second class must be studied through the first.
Chemical phenomena are more complicated than mechanical, and de-
pend upon them, without influencing them in return. Every one knows
that all chemical action is first submitted to the influence of weight,
heat, electricity, etc., and presents moreover something which modifies
all these. Thus, while it follows Physics, it presents itself as a distinct
science.
Such are the divisions of the sciences relating to inorganic matter.
An analogous division arises in the other half of Natural Philosophy
the science of organized bodies.
Here we find ourselves presented with two orders of phenomena;
those which relate to the individual, and those which relate to the spe-
cies, especially when it is gregarious. With regard to Man, especially,
this distinction is fundamental. The last order of phenomena is evidently
dependent on the first, and is more complex. Hence we have two great
sections in organic physics Physiology properly so called, and Social
Physics, Which is dependent on it. In all Social phenomena we perceive
the working of the physiological laws of the individual; and moreover
something which modifies their effects, anal which belongs to the influ-
ence of individuals over each other singularly complicated in the case
of the human race by the influence of generations on their successors.
Thus it is clear that our social science must issue from that which re-
lates to the life of the individual on the other hand, there is no occasion
to suppose, as some eminent physiologists have done, that Social Phys-
ics is only an appendage to physiology. The phenomena of the two are
not identical, though they are homogeneous; and it is of high importance
to hold the two sciences separate. As social conditions modify the op-
eration of physiological laws, Social Physics must have a set of obser-
vations of its own.
It would be easy to make the divisions of the Organic half of Sci-
ence correspond with those of the Inorganic, by dividing physiology
into vegetable and animal, according to popular custom. But this dis-
tinction, however important in Concrete Physics (in that secondary and
special class of studies before declared to be inappropriate to this world),
hardly extends into those Abstract Physics with which we have to do.
Vegetables and animals come alike under our notice, when our object is
to learn the general laws of life that is, to study physiology. To say
nothing of the fact that the distinction grows ever fainter and more dubi-
Positive Philosophy/51
ous with new discoveries, it bears no relation to our plan of research;
and we shall therefore consider that, there is only one division in the
science of organized bodies.
Thus we have before us Five fundamental Sciences in successive
dependence Astronomy, Physics, Chemistry, Physiology, and finally
Social Physics. The first considers the most general, simple abstract
and remote phenomena known to us, and those which affect all others
without being affected by them. The last considers the most particular,
compound, concrete phenomena, and those which are the most interest-
ing to Man. Between these two, the degrees of speciality, of complexity,
and individuality are in regular proportion to the place at the respective
sciences in the scale exhibited.
This casting out everything arbitrary we must regard as the true
filiation of the sciences: and in it we find the plan of this work.
As we proceed, we shall kind that the same principle which gives
this order to the whole body of science arranges the parts of each sci-
ence; and its soundness will therefore be freshly attested as often as it
presents itself afresh. There is no refusing a principle which distributes
the interior of each science after the same method with the aggregate
sciences. But this is not the place in which to do more than indicate what
we shall contemplate more closely hereafter. We must now rapidly re-
view some of the leading properties of the hierarchy of science that has
been disclosed.
This gradation is in essential conformity with the order which has
spontaneously taken place among the branches of natural philosophy,
when pursued separately, and without any purpose of establishing such
order. Such an accordance is a strong presumption that the arrangement
is natural. Again, it coincides with the actual development of natural
philosophy. If no leading science can be effectually pursued otherwise
than through those which precede it in the scale, it is evident that no vast
development of any science could take place prior to the great astro-
nomical discoveries to which we owe the impulse given to the whole.
The progression may since have been simultaneous; but it has taken
place in the order we have recognized.
This consideration is so important that it is difficult to understand [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
zanotowane.pl doc.pisz.pl pdf.pisz.pl wyciskamy.pev.pl
cess to the examination of a dependent class of phenomena.
Each of these great halves of natural philosophy has subdivisions.
Inorganic physics must, in accordance with our rule of generality and
the order of dependence of phenomena, be divided into two sections of
celestial and terrestrial phenomena. Thus we have Astronomy, geometri-
cal and mechanical, and Terrestrial Physics. The necessity of this divi-
sion is exactly the same as in the former case.
Astronomical phenomena are the most general, simple, and abstract
of all; and therefore the study of natural philosophy must clearly begin
with them. They are themselves independent, while the laws to which
they are subject influence all others whatsoever. The general effects of
gravitation preponderate, in all terrestrial phenomena, over all effects
which may be peculiar to them, and modify the original ones. It follows
that the analysis of the simplest terrestrial phenomenon, not only chemi-
cal, but even purely mechanical, presents a greater complication than
the most compound astronomical phenomenon. The most difficult as-
tronomical question involves less intricacy than the simple movement of
even a solid body, when the determining circumstances are to be com-
puted. Thus we see that we must separate these two studies and proceed
to the second only through the first, from which it is derived.
In the same manner, we find a natural division of Terrestrial Phys-
ics into two, according as we regard bodies in their mechanical or their
50/Auguste Comte
chemical character. Hence we have Physics, properly so called, and
Chemistry. Again, the second class must be studied through the first.
Chemical phenomena are more complicated than mechanical, and de-
pend upon them, without influencing them in return. Every one knows
that all chemical action is first submitted to the influence of weight,
heat, electricity, etc., and presents moreover something which modifies
all these. Thus, while it follows Physics, it presents itself as a distinct
science.
Such are the divisions of the sciences relating to inorganic matter.
An analogous division arises in the other half of Natural Philosophy
the science of organized bodies.
Here we find ourselves presented with two orders of phenomena;
those which relate to the individual, and those which relate to the spe-
cies, especially when it is gregarious. With regard to Man, especially,
this distinction is fundamental. The last order of phenomena is evidently
dependent on the first, and is more complex. Hence we have two great
sections in organic physics Physiology properly so called, and Social
Physics, Which is dependent on it. In all Social phenomena we perceive
the working of the physiological laws of the individual; and moreover
something which modifies their effects, anal which belongs to the influ-
ence of individuals over each other singularly complicated in the case
of the human race by the influence of generations on their successors.
Thus it is clear that our social science must issue from that which re-
lates to the life of the individual on the other hand, there is no occasion
to suppose, as some eminent physiologists have done, that Social Phys-
ics is only an appendage to physiology. The phenomena of the two are
not identical, though they are homogeneous; and it is of high importance
to hold the two sciences separate. As social conditions modify the op-
eration of physiological laws, Social Physics must have a set of obser-
vations of its own.
It would be easy to make the divisions of the Organic half of Sci-
ence correspond with those of the Inorganic, by dividing physiology
into vegetable and animal, according to popular custom. But this dis-
tinction, however important in Concrete Physics (in that secondary and
special class of studies before declared to be inappropriate to this world),
hardly extends into those Abstract Physics with which we have to do.
Vegetables and animals come alike under our notice, when our object is
to learn the general laws of life that is, to study physiology. To say
nothing of the fact that the distinction grows ever fainter and more dubi-
Positive Philosophy/51
ous with new discoveries, it bears no relation to our plan of research;
and we shall therefore consider that, there is only one division in the
science of organized bodies.
Thus we have before us Five fundamental Sciences in successive
dependence Astronomy, Physics, Chemistry, Physiology, and finally
Social Physics. The first considers the most general, simple abstract
and remote phenomena known to us, and those which affect all others
without being affected by them. The last considers the most particular,
compound, concrete phenomena, and those which are the most interest-
ing to Man. Between these two, the degrees of speciality, of complexity,
and individuality are in regular proportion to the place at the respective
sciences in the scale exhibited.
This casting out everything arbitrary we must regard as the true
filiation of the sciences: and in it we find the plan of this work.
As we proceed, we shall kind that the same principle which gives
this order to the whole body of science arranges the parts of each sci-
ence; and its soundness will therefore be freshly attested as often as it
presents itself afresh. There is no refusing a principle which distributes
the interior of each science after the same method with the aggregate
sciences. But this is not the place in which to do more than indicate what
we shall contemplate more closely hereafter. We must now rapidly re-
view some of the leading properties of the hierarchy of science that has
been disclosed.
This gradation is in essential conformity with the order which has
spontaneously taken place among the branches of natural philosophy,
when pursued separately, and without any purpose of establishing such
order. Such an accordance is a strong presumption that the arrangement
is natural. Again, it coincides with the actual development of natural
philosophy. If no leading science can be effectually pursued otherwise
than through those which precede it in the scale, it is evident that no vast
development of any science could take place prior to the great astro-
nomical discoveries to which we owe the impulse given to the whole.
The progression may since have been simultaneous; but it has taken
place in the order we have recognized.
This consideration is so important that it is difficult to understand [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]