New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1854-10-24

sharp sptithess exists between the two that
tran,itiou from one to the other is impossible,
without an intermediate system Of conceptions.
This ia the service of metaphysics By substi-
tutipg abstract entities for supernatural agents,
!, payes the way for the exclusive contemplation
of pben ,nena. With these the task Of Positive
Philosophy begins and ends. /! recognizes the
vain and abortve character Of all researches into
what are called causes, whether first or final
Regarding all phenomena as subject to nv,risble
natural laws, it pursues the discovery Of these
laws with a view to reducing them to the small
est possible number.
In the study fphenomena, belonging to the in
tectual nature of man, the method Of psychological
observation is rejected as illusory. The laws of
the human mind can never be discovered by in
ternal contemplation. Tne mind may observe all
phenomena but its own. The passions can be
studied only in their outward manifestations. The
same is still more true Of the intellectual pro-
cesses, because the observing and observed organ
are one and the same. After two thousand years
of psychological pursuit, not single proposition
has been established in it to the satisfaction of ts
followers. No discovery great or small, has been
made under this method.
Having thus laid down the framework of the
Positive Philosophy-which, it will now be per-
ceiytd is nothing more nor less than scientific
process for the observation Of sensible phenom-
ena-Comte proceeds to apply it to an e1amin-
alton of the progress and present condition Of
the various branches Of science. His problem
| a. yuhi on GA II
of the sciences bas emerged from the ictlons OF
theology and the entities of metaphysics, to the
clear light of Positive Philosophy and TO estim'
ate the intellectual fruits which have thereby
been gained to the service of humanity.
The different kinds of knowledge have passed
through the three stages of progress at different
rates, and hence have not reached the consumms-
ton of Positive Philosophy at the same time.
The rapidly of advancement depends upon the
simplicity Of the branch Of knowledge in ques-
ton, upon its generality, and its independence Of
other departments Astronomy which exhibits
these characteristics in the highest degree, was
the first to arrive at the goal. Terrestrial Physics
was the next in order, then Chemistry, at length
Physiology and last Of ALL the Science Of Society,
which is still hampered with theological and meta
physical restrictions. The revolution, thus de-
scribed, has been gradual. To certain extent,
it may be sad TO have been always going on. IL
has received marked development since the Ia
bors of Aristotle and the school Of Alexandria.
1t was alsO greatly promoted by the introduction
Of natural science into the west of Europe By
the Arabs. But the most decided impulse was
a. ant ha la af ha
seventeenth century, when the human mind was
excited to fresh action by the precepts OF Bacon,
the conceptions of Descartes, and the discoveries
of Calico. The spirit Of the Positive Philosophy
then began a vigorous protest against the super
sttiOus and scholastic systems which had hitherto
obscured the true character Of science. Since
then Positive Philosophy has advanced; theology
and metaphysics have declined; the intellect Of
man has entered upon a course, from which it
will not 60 back; the revolution will be COM
pleted by, sooner or later, Transforming every
branch of scientific inquiry
The manner in which theological end meta
physical conceptions fade away under the infu'
ence of the Positive Philosophy may be illustrated
by the effect Of the discovery Of the earth motion
around the sun. The whole system of theological
belief rested on the notion that the material uni.
verse was ordained for the benefit OF man. This
notion appears absurd, the moment it is seen that
our globe is only subordinate star-forming no
center-but circulating in its place and season,
among others, round the sun. The notion OF
provdential laws and bene6cent adaptations is at
once eliminated from this view of the solar sys-
tenn; for as soon as We discard the idea of the
arrangement of the universe in the interests of
man, no purpose remains for such proyidential
action. The whole theory founded on the human
destination Of the universe is thus overthrown by
the doctrine Of the earth's motion; hence reli.
eious minds have revOlted from the disclosure,
and the illustrious discoverer incurred the rage
of the sacerdotal power.
Tie principal branches of physical science are
to very considerable extent emancipated from
the influence of theological and metaphysical
fctions Not so the theories Of social science.
In that department of thought, an entirely new
order of scientific conceptions is necessary. At
present, the civilized world is in state of social
and political anarchy. The old philosophy is in
an imbecile state; while tle Positive Philosophy
has not received a sufficiently broad and general
development TO comprehend the general govern
ment of the human race. There is no hope in
any of the conflicting political parties. A new
spirit must be introduced into the organization Of
society, which shall put an end to the passionate
and useless struggles of the present, and deliver
civilization from the revolutionary state in which
it has been tossed about for the last three centu-
Iies.
Such, in brief outline are the principles which