Question

Answer the following question in detail. (About 150 words)

You have studied about Comte’s Law of Three Stages of human thought. With reference to the first and third stage, comment on the challenges it poses for Indian society.

Answer 1

Comte’s social philosophy is based on the concept of three stages of human thought. He was of the view that human knowledge passes through three stages of evolution:

1. Theological Stage: Comte is of the view that in the first stage, ideas and views were influenced by spiritual and supernatural factors. It was believed that there was a monopoly of God over all events in the world. God is the creator and controller of all things. Human beings had deep faith in God and supernatural beings. The human mind, at this level, supposed that all phenomena were produced by the immediate action of supernatural beings. For example, all natural calamities were the expressions of God’s anger.
2. Metaphysical stage: This stage is also known as the abstract stage of thinking. In this stage, explanations based on faith in supernatural beings were replaced by those based on abstract power. This abstract power was considered responsible for guiding and controlling human and natural activities. This stage is more or less a developed stage of the first stage of thinking. Comte has characterised it as an amended and improved form of theological thinking; the conception of ‘one God’ is replaced here.
3. Positive/Scientific stage: In the words of Auguste Comte, this is an improved and scientific form of human thinking. Now, instead of imagination, we turn to observation. Reason and examination were basic planks of knowledge at this stage. Here, one seeks to establish laws which link facts and which govern social life. Comte wanted Sociology to develop through these stages. That is why he applied the ‘law of three stages’ of development in regard to knowledge, social organisation and other matters.