TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTELLECTUAL CHARACTER OF POSITIVISM 8
The object of Philosophy is to present a systematic view of human life as a basis for modifying its imperfections—The Theological Synthesis failed to include the practical side of human nature—But the Positive spirit originated in practical life—In human nature, and therefore in the Positive system, Affection is the preponderating element—The proper function of Intellect is the service of the Social Sympathies—Under Theology the Intellect was the slave of the Heart; under Positivism, its servant—The subordination of the Intellect to the Heart is the subjective principle of Positivism—Objective basis of the system: Order of the external World, as revealed by Science—By it the selfish affections are controlled; the unselfish strengthened—Our conception of this External Order has been gradually growing from the earliest times, and is but just complete—Even where not modifiable, its influence on the character is of the greatest value—But in most cases we can modify it; and in these the knowledge of it forms the systematic basis of human action—The chief difficulty of the Positive Synthesis was to complete our conception of the External Order by extending it to Social Phenomena—By the discovery of sociological laws social questions are made paramount; and thus our subjective principle is satisfied without danger to free thought—Distinction between Abstract and Concrete laws. It is the former only that we require for the purpose before us—In our Theory of Development the required Synthesis of Abstract conceptions already exists—Therefore we are in a position to proceed at once with the work of social regeneration—Error of identifying Positivism with Atheism, Materialism, Fatalism, or Optimism. Atheism, like Theology, discusses insoluble mysteries—Materialism is due to the encroachment of the lower sciences on the domain of the higher, an error which Positivism rectifies—Nor is Positivism fatalist, since it asserts the External Order to be modifiable—The charge of Optimism applies to Theology rather than to Positivism. The Positivist judges of all historical actions relatively, but does not justify them indiscriminately—The word Positive connotes all the highest intellectual attributes, and will ultimately have a moral significance.
THE SOCIAL ASPECT OF POSITIVISM 64
The relation of Positivism to the French Revolution—The negative or destructive phase of the Revolution stimulated the desire of Progress, and consequently the study of social phenomena—The constructive phase of the Revolution. The first attempts to construct failed, being based on destructive principles—Counter-revolution from 1794 to 1830—Political stagnation between 1830 and 1848—The present position, 1848–1850. Republicanism involves the great principle of subordinating Politics to Morals—It gives prominence to the problem of reconciling Order and Progress—It brings the metaphysical revolutionary schools into discredit—And it proves to all the necessity of a true spiritual power; a body of thinkers whose business is to study and to teach principles, holding aloof from political action—The need of a spiritual power is common to the whole Republic of Western Europe—This Republic consists of the Italian, Spanish, British, and German populations, grouped round France as their centre—Relation of Positivism to the mediæval system, to which we owe the first attempt to separate Spiritual from Temporal power—But the mediæval attempt was premature; and Positivism will renew and complete it—The Ethical system of Positivism—Subjection of Self-love to Social love is the great ethical problem. The Social state of itself favours this result; but it may be hastened by organized and conscious effort—Intermediate between Self-love and universal Benevolence are the domestic affections: filial, fraternal, conjugal, paternal—Personal virtues placed upon a social basis—Moral education consists partly of scientific demonstration of ethical truth, but still more of culture of the higher sympathies—Organization of Public Opinion—Commemoration of great men—The political motto of Positivism: Order and Progress—Progress, the development of Order—Analysis of Progress: material, physical, intellectual, and moral—Application of our principles to actual politics. All government must for the present be provisional—Danger of attempting political reconstruction before spiritual—Politically what is wanted is Dictatorship, with liberty of speech and discussion—Such a dictatorship would be a step towards the separation of spiritual and temporal power—The motto of 1830, Liberty and Public Order—Liberty should be extended to Education—Order demands centralization—Intimate connexion of Liberty with Order.