questions. Auguste Comte 1. What is positivism and why is it still embraced within Sociology? 2. What were the three stages Comte felt society went through?

1. Positivism is a philosophical theory that asserts that knowledge is derived from sensory experience and empirical evidence. It emphasizes the importance of scientific methods and empirical evidence in the pursuit of knowledge. Positivism is still embraced within sociology because it provides a systematic and objective approach to studying social phenomena. By relying on empirical evidence and scientific methods, sociologists can develop theories and explanations that are grounded in reality. This helps to ensure that sociological research is rigorous, reliable, and valid.<br /><br />2. Auguste Comte, the founder of positivism, believed that society went through three stages of development: the theological stage, the metaphysical stage, and the positive stage. In the theological stage, people explained phenomena in terms of supernatural forces or divine intervention. In the metaphysical stage, people sought to explain phenomena in terms of abstract principles or ideas. Finally, in the positive stage, people sought to explain phenomena in terms of observable and measurable factors, such as natural laws and scientific principles. Comte believed that the positive stage was the most advanced stage of development, as it emphasized the importance of empirical evidence and scientific methods in understanding the world.