If he did not push social science as far forward as he believed, at any rate he was right in thinking that his originality lay in this attempt. The problem was clearly set: to blend into a new and positive science the social ideas proceeding from the speculation of the XVIII. century with the historical truths brought to light by the adversaries of this philosophy. The solution given by Comte is the very soul of his system. By a twofold and vigorous effort, he created “social physics.” On the one hand, he carries to the past the idea of progress which Condorcet could only apply to the future, and this allowed him to institute a positive philosophy of history. At the same time, he projects into the future that spiritual order which de Maistre had only seen in the past, and this furnishes him with the frame for his “social reorganisation”. This philosophy of history, which no longer contains anything metaphysical, is social dynamics; this “reorganisation” of society, by means of a spiritual power, will be the positive polity. FOOTNOTES: [286] Cours, VI, 457. [287] Cours, V, 4-5. [288] Cours, V, 360-1: VI, 50. [289] Cours, V, 318. [290] Cours, V, 124-7. [291] Cours, VI, 148. [292] Cours, VI, 156-7. [293] Cours, VI, 248. [294] Cours, VI, 194. [295] Cours, V, 325. [296] Pol. pos., II, 121-131. [297] Cours, V, 306 sq. [298] Cours, V, 362. [299] Cours, V, 335. [300] Pol. pos., II. [301] Cours, V, 541-5. [302] Correspondance de Comte et de John Stuart Mill, p. 458 (14, juillet 1845.) [303] Pol. pos., IV, Appendice, p. 193. [304] Cours, V, 413. [305] Cours, VI, 23. [306] Cours, V, 414. [307] Cours, V, 314-16. [308] Cours, V, 431-33; 467-8; 511-13. [309] Cours, V, 531. [310] Cours, V, 435. [311] Cours, VI, 236. [312] Cours, V, 589. [313] Pol. pos., IV, Appendice, p. 180-1. [314] Cours, VI, 36. [315] Cours, IV, 60. [316] Cours, IV, 159. [317] Cours, IV, 75 sq. [318] Cours, IV, 40. [319] Cours, IV, 100. [320] Cours, IV, 46. [321] Cours, IV, 46. BOOK IV CHAPTER I THE PRINCIPLES OF ETHICS In Comte’s system Ethics occupies an intermediate place between theoretical philosophy and politics. Ethics rests upon the philosophy as Politics rests on the principles of Ethics.