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Single Idea 12115
[filed under theme 16. Persons / C. Self-Awareness / 3. Limits of Introspection
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Full Idea
The pretended direct contemplation of the mind by itself is a pure illusion. ...It is clear that, by an inevitable necessity, the human mind can observe all phenomena directly, except its own.
Gist of Idea
Introspection is pure illusion; we can obviously observe everything except ourselves
Source
Auguste Comte (Intro to Positive Philosophy [1830], Ch.1)
Book Ref
Comte,Auguste: 'Introduction to Positive Philosophy', ed/tr. Ferré,Frederick [Hackett 1988], p.20
A Reaction
I recently heard of a university psychology department which was seeking skilled introspectors to help with their researches. I take introspection to be very difficult, but partially possible. Read Proust.
The
14 ideas
from Auguste Comte
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12114
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Science can drown in detail, so we need broad scientists (to keep out the metaphysicians)
[Comte]
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12116
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Only positivist philosophy can terminate modern social crises
[Comte]
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12108
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All real knowledge rests on observed facts
[Comte]
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12109
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We must observe in order to form theories, but connected observations need prior theories
[Comte]
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12107
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Positivism explains facts by connecting particular phenomena with general facts
[Comte]
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12115
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Introspection is pure illusion; we can obviously observe everything except ourselves
[Comte]
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12113
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The search for first or final causes is futile
[Comte]
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12110
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We can never know origins, purposes or inner natures
[Comte]
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12104
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All ideas must be understood historically
[Comte]
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12105
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Our knowledge starts in theology, passes through metaphysics, and ends in positivism
[Comte]
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12112
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Metaphysics is just the oversubtle qualification of abstract names for phenomena
[Comte]
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12111
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Positivism is the final state of human intelligence
[Comte]
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12106
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Positivism gives up absolute truth, and seeks phenomenal laws, by reason and observation
[Comte]
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7491
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The phases of human thought are theological, then metaphysical, then positivist
[Comte, by Watson]
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