This volume begins to explore the life and works of Auguste Comte during his so-called second career, the controversial period that began in 1842 and lasted until his death. This volume covers the years from 1842 to 1852, when Comte transformed his positive philosophy into a political and religious movement. It represents the first in-depth study of that movement. Focusing on key books, such as the Discours sur l ensemble du positivisme, Mary Pickering connects Comte s intellectual development to the tumultuous historical context and to episodes in his personal life, especially his famous...

This volume continues to explore the life and works of Auguste Comte during his so-called second career. It covers the period from the coup d etat of Louis Napoleon in late 1851 to Comte s death in 1857. During these early years of the Second Empire, Comte became increasingly conservative and anxious to control his disciples. This study offers the first analysis of the tensions within his movement. Focusing on his second masterpiece, the Systeme de politique positive, and other important books, such as the Synthese subjective, Mary Pickering not only sheds light on Comte s intellectual...