Single Idea 12104

[catalogued under 1. Philosophy / B. History of Ideas / 1. History of Ideas]

Full Idea

No idea can be properly understood apart from its history.

Gist of Idea

All ideas must be understood historically

Source

Auguste Comte (Intro to Positive Philosophy [1830], Ch.1)

Book Reference

Comte,Auguste: 'Introduction to Positive Philosophy', ed/tr. Ferré,Frederick [Hackett 1988], p.1


A Reaction

This is somewhat dubious. Comte is preparing the ground for asserting positivism by rejecting out-of-date theology and metaphysics. The history is revealing, but can be misleading, when a meaning shifts. Try 'object' in logic.