Knowledge of the principal statical and dynamical laws of social existence is
evidently sufficient for the purpose of systematising the various aspects of
private or public life, and thereby of rendering our condition far more perfect.
Should this knowledge be acquired, of which there is now no doubt, we
need not regret being unable to give a satisfactory explanation of every state
of society that we find existing throughout the world in all ages. The
discipline of social feeling will check any foolish indulgence of the spirit of
curiosity, and prevent the understanding from wasting its powers in useless
speculations; for feeble as these powers are, it is from them that Humanity
derives her most efficient means of contending against the defects of the
External Order. The discovery of the principal concrete laws would no doubt
be attended by the most beneficial results, moral as well as physical; and this
is the field in which the science of the future will reap its richest harvest.
Formulate an answer using the following questions as a guide.
Describe in your own words what Comte means by this.
Is it possible to change a ‘law’ of nature or of social existence? Why or why not?
In what ways does Comte’s thought differ from that previous philosophers and great thinkers?