Auguste Comte and Positivism (Barnes & Noble Digital Library)

Auguste Comte was a French philosopher who developed the doctrine of positivismwhich says that authentic knowledge is only what can be proven by the scientific methodin an attempt to ameliorate the melancholy brought on by the French revolution. He influenced a number of eminent thinkers, including John Stuart Mill. Mills survey of the main principles of his close friends philosophy is engaging reading for anyone passionate about philosophy.