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19th Century French Bronze Bust Of Auguste Comte (French Positivist Philosopher)

About the Item

An exquisitely cast and finished bronze bust of Auguste Comte (1798–1857), resting on a marble plinth. The model is finished in a dark brown patina that is finely preserved. A most pleasant example. Circa 1880 French Auguste Comte (1798–1857) : Auguste Comte (1798–1857) is the founder of positivism, a philosophical and political movement which enjoyed a very wide diffusion in the second half of the nineteenth century. It sank into an almost complete oblivion during the twentieth, when it was eclipsed by neopositivism. However, Comte’s decision to develop successively a philosophy of mathematics, a philosophy of physics, a philosophy of chemistry and a philosophy of biology, makes him the first philosopher of science in the modern sense, and his constant attention to the social dimension of science resonates in many respects with current points of view. His political philosophy, on the other hand, is even less known, because it differs substantially from the classical political philosophy we have inherited. Comte’s most important works are (1) the Course on Positive Philosophy (1830–1842, six volumes, translated and condensed by Harriet Martineau as The Positive Philosophy of Auguste Comte); (2) the System of Positive Polity, or Treatise on Sociology, Instituting the Religion of Humanity, (1851–1854, four volumes); and (3) the Early Writings (1820–1829), where one can see the influence of Saint-Simon, for whom Comte served as secretary from 1817 to 1824. The Early Writings are still the best introduction to Comte’s thought. In the Course, Comte said, science was transformed into philosophy; in the System, philosophy was transformed into religion. The second transformation met with strong opposition; as a result, it has become customary to distinguish, with Mill, between a “good Comte” (the author of the Course) and a “bad Comte” (the author of the System). Today’s common conception of positivism corresponds mainly to what can be found in the Course.
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 13 in (33 cm)Width: 3.94 in (10 cm)Depth: 3.94 in (10 cm)
  • Style:
    Neoclassical (In the Style Of)
  • Materials and Techniques:
    Bronze,Marble
  • Place of Origin:
    France
  • Period:
    19th Century
  • Date of Manufacture:
    1860
  • Condition:
    Wear consistent with age and use.
  • Seller Location:
    Dublin, IE
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU5735245197082

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