Each department of knowledge passes through three stages. The theoretic stage; the theological stage and the metaphysical or abstract stage.

Meaning of the quote

According to Auguste Comte, a French sociologist, all areas of study go through three main phases. First, they start with a theoretical stage where new ideas are proposed. Then, they move to a theological stage where beliefs and religions are involved. Finally, they reach a metaphysical or abstract stage where deeper, more complex concepts are explored.

About Auguste Comte

Auguste Comte was a French philosopher, mathematician, and writer who formulated the doctrine of positivism. He is considered the first philosopher of science and played a key role in the development of sociology, coining the term and treating it as the crowning achievement of the sciences. Comte’s work was influenced by Henri de Saint-Simon and aimed to remedy the social disorder caused by the French Revolution.

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