Positive Philosophy of Auguste Comte, Volume III

Volume 1 of 2. These volumes are not a close translation of Auguste Comte's original work. It is a very free translation. It is more a condensation than an abridgment. The object was to convey the meaning of the original in the cleverest way possible; and to this all other considerations were made to yield. Whichever way we look over the whole field of science, we see the truths and ideas presented by Comte cropping out from the surface, and recognized as the foundation of all that is systematic in our knowledge. IN the five foregoing parts of this work, one investigation proceeded on an ascertained and undisputed scientific basis; and our business was to exhibit the progress made in each science; to free it from entanglement with the ancient philosophy; and to show what further improvements might be anticipated. A GENERAL statement of any system of philosophy may be either a sketch of a doctrine to be established, or a summary of a doctrine already established.]