Meanwhile it appears that, contrary to popular notions, the astronomical phase is a stage in advance of the mathematical, in all essential logical respects, and much nearer the true philosophical condition.

For logical purposes, we may combine physics and chemistry, though for scientific examination they must be separ- Physics and ated. The only logical feature of chemistry is its art Chemistry. of systematic nomenclature: otherwise, it merely applies, in a less perfect way, the general method of investigation developed by physics. In combination, these two sciences form the bond between the two extremes, logically and scientifically: on the one hand completing the study of the universe, and preparing for that of Humanity, and on the other exhibiting an intermediate complexity of subject, and corresponding to a medium state of positive investigation. They require all foregoing resources for investigation, and present a new mode of observing. In physics, the experimental method takes its rise; and it is immediately attended by the logical resource of the corpuscular or atomic theory; both being limited to the same kind of investigations. When the logical and scientific conditions proper to the position in the scale are fulfilled, there can be no doubt that this third phase of rational positivity will be found to be as superior to the astronomical phase as that is to the mathematical, imperfect as it now is in its oscillation between a barren empiricism and an oppressive mysticism, metaphysical or algebraic. The varied and complex nature of such an order of investigations could not admit, even under a better intellectual system, of a precision and co-ordination comparable to those permitted by celestial theories; but these imperfections, transient or permanent, do not prevent the sense of natural law from receiving here a considerable extension, by being applied to the most complex phenomena of inorganic existence.

Biology.

The next step is from inert to living nature and we see the positive method rising to a new application much more different from the three former than they are from each other, and which will make this new science as essentially superior to the preceding by its logical plenitude as by its scientific importance, when its conditions are thoroughly understood. Thus far, investigations have permitted and required an almost indefinite parcelling out; but the interconnection of biological phenomena is such that no analytical operation can be conceived of otherwise than as introductory to a synthetical determination,-the division between the abstract and the concrete being all the while maintained, and the more carefully on account of the small interval that separates them. A radical change in the scientific system now therefore enters in, making the spirit of generality overrule the spirit of detail, till then preponderant, and thus carrying forward our reason remarkably towards its true natural condition. The statical view

now comes out clearly in connection with the dynamical, in a manner especially suitable to biological speculations, in which these two kinds of estimate appear more distinct and correlative than in any former application. But the grand feature of this fourth phase is the vast extension of the general art of observing, then augmented by the institution of the comparative method, hitherto very subordinate and obscure, but now proved to be the most powerful logical instrument applicable to such speculations. Corresponding with it, and summing up its results, we have, under the same phase, the theory of classification. The logical condition of the phase ought to be judged of by this double creation, and not by its existing imperfection, which is owing to its more recent formation, its higher complexity, and an inferior fulfilment of the preparatory conditions of its rational culture. The sense of natural law must arise out of inorganic research; but it could not acquire its full efficacy till it was extended to biological speculations, which are above all adapted to discredit absolute notions by exhibiting the immense variety of modes of existence. Great as is the advance attained in this phase, it remains no less merely introductory than the rest, though holding a higher place. Its insufficiency becomes broadly apparent when we advance from the study of the organic life, by which it is least separated from the foregoing sciences, to the study of animality; for then, in applying ourselves to the highest positive speculations, in contemplating the moral and intellectual functions of the brain, we become at once sensible of the irrationality of such a scientific constitution for the most decisive case of all cannot be understood but by subordinating the study of it to the ulterior science of social development, for the reasons already assigned to show the impossibility of understanding our mental nature from the individual point of view; a method which must be unproductive in whatever way it is instituted.

every view, social science offers the attributes of a completion of the positive method. All the others, even that of Sociology. Man, are preparatory to it. Here alone can the general sense of natural law be decisively developed, by eliminating for ever arbitrary wills and chimerical entities, in the most difficult case of all. The old philosophy must be doomed to extinction, when a regular study is able to disclose the laws of the continuous variation of human opinions. I have repeatedly said that this science permits, above any other, the prominent use of à priori considerations, both from its position in the hierarchy, by which it depends on all the rest, and in virtue of the perfect unity which is given to it by its plenitude of logical resources. It will soon be admitted to be the most logical of all the sciences, considering the degree of precision compatible with the nature of the phenomena, since the most difficult and varied speculations are naturally connected with one single fundamental theory. But the most striking

feature to us is the extension of the means of investigation required by, and involved in, this most complex subject of human study. It enjoys all the resources of the anterior sciences; but they would be almost useless, and even deceptive, without the addition of the historical method, properly so called, which investigates, not by comparison, but by gradual filiation. We have reviewed this method in its dogmatic form, and in its application, and we have seen how it must preponderate over all other resources, so as to bring out and utilize the properties of positive investigation, by which the regular action of human faculties is to be perfected. Thus a universal logical method corresponds in this case to a universal scientific view; and the result is that the human mind here finds its natural position. It would occupy too much space to exhibit the reaction of this science upon those that precede it; and it would be as yet premature. I have done what I proposed, in constituting the true system of positive philosophy, as a result of the preparation instituted by Bacon and Descartes; and its practical construction is a work for a future time,-probably near at hand.

These are the five phases of the positive method, through whose succession the scientific spirit rises gradually to the dignity of the philosophical spirit, effacing at length the provisional distinction between them which had been necessary during the earlier part of the human evolution. If we consider the miserable theoretical state from which human reason set out, we shall not wonder that so long a tutelage was required to enable Man to extend to his abstract and general speculations the same mental training that popular wisdom spontaneously employs in its partial and practical acts. Though there can be no exemption from the necessity of reproducing this natural succession for ever, the systematic education now prepared for, in place of the instinctive, will render the process much more rapid and easy; and I rejoice in the privilege of having prepared it for my successors, by the elaboration of this my original scheme.

In this chapter I have wrought out the most difficult and important part of my work, in as far as it relates to our general conclusions, according to the constant preponderance of our logical over our scientific needs; and especially at a time when, the doctrine being in a backward state, the philosophical procedure must consist in instituting the Method completely. What I have done in this direction must be considered as a natural equivalent of the discourse of Descartes on method, allowing for the diversities resulting from the new situation of modern mind, and the new corresponding wants. Descartes had for his subject the introductory evolution which had been for two centuries preparing for the ascendency of rational positivism; while I have had to examine the fulfilment of that preparation, in order to determine the final constitution of a sound pliilosophy in connection with social objects, a view which

Descartes avoided, but which Bacon already anticipated. This most difficult part of my task being achieved, I have only to complete my object by making a rapid scientific survey, to answer to the logical, and to venture upon an anticipation of the action of the positive philosophy, when it shall have attained its full maturity.

CHAPTER XIV.

ESTIMATE OF THE RESULTS OF POSITIVE DOCTRINE IN ITS

PREPARATORY STAGE.

As I have intimated, our scientific conclusions cannot be so important or so extensive as our logical conclusions, because they relate to a system of knowledge scarcely yet instituted: yet it is necessary to follow up the logical summary with a sketch of the proper nature and connection of the abstract studies that we have examined in succession; our present view regarding them as so many necessary elements of a single body of doctrine, according to our principle.

We have perceived throughout that, in the case of the human evolution at least, there exists a natural agreement between our knowledge and our needs. The knowledge which is inaccessible to us is precisely that which could answer no purpose but gratifying a vain curiosity. We have no concern with anything but the laws of phenomena which affect human beings; such action, however indirect, constituting a basis of positive estimate, the full realization of which can follow only very remotely the manifestation of the corresponding needs, at any rate till we can institute a better research. This scheme must comprehend, on the one hand, Humanity itself, in its existence and action; and, on the other hand, the general medium, whose permanent influence is an essential element in the whole movement. Every scientific as well as logical consideration shows the necessity of the study of the medium; and thus naturally divides science into the two departments,-inorganic and organic science; the first being the indispensable preparation for the second; and the second simply modifying the phenomena of the first by a nobler action. The three essential modes of the first order-the mathematical, physical, and chemical, and the two which are proper to organic existence-the individual and the social, thus present a scientific series precisely correspondent to the logical that we have just reviewed; and its five stages will, in like manner, lead us up to the normal state of true philosophy.

Mathematical existence is the simplest and most universal of all; and, in a geometrical form first, and then a mechani- The Mathemacal, is the only kind of existence cognizable by us in tical dement. the many and important cases in which our investigation can pro