SOAN 2112 Lecture Notes - Lecture 1: The Course In Positive Philosophy, Blaise Pascal, Auguste Comte
19 Jan 2017
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Document Summary
People looked for the right answer" to social conditions that plagued them. Many people were interested in national and social movements - many revolts. More agnostic and atheistic thinkers looking to scientific explanations rather than religious ones. Acknowledged agnostics/atheists include major figures marx, engels, j. s. Influenced all of mainstream sociology; influenced functionalism and marxism. Saint simon was dubbed as a utopian socialist by marx. Argued philosophes had contributed to disintegration of the old order. Sought to create new and organic social order based on new principles. Passing through 3 stages: theological, metaphysical, speculative. Social physiology -- must become a positive science. Scientific knowledge -- to replace religious dogma. Scientific elite must replace authority of the church. Conflict between the new haves and have nots will continue. Conservative side -- wanted to preserve society. As a radical sociologist, he stressed movement, progress, and change. On the functional end, he saw society as an organic analogy;.
