1. Science in an Age of Realism Kagan, Ch. 24

2. Materialism Growing “faith” in the benefits of science Growing “faith” in the benefits of science –science at service of industry Everything mental, spiritual and physical was a result of physical forces Everything mental, spiritual and physical was a result of physical forces Truth = concrete material experiences of human beings Truth = concrete material experiences of human beings –emotion and intuition cannot be used to explain natural phenomena

3. Positivism - Auguste Comte, (1798-1857) – French Philosopher – French Philosopher –3 stages of human history  Theological – will of God (pre-Enlightenment era)  Metaphysical – natural law & human rights (Enlightenment & Fr. Rev.)  Scientific – positivist = most focus on the scientific (tangible) in order to improve society (mid-1800s) –Developed Sociology  Observation of actual facts to develop scientific laws of social progress  Religion of Humanity –Also coined “altruism”  Moral obligation of individuals to serve others and place another’s interests above one’s own

4. Science and the Study of Society Social Science: Statistical ways to analyze facts Social Science: Statistical ways to analyze facts – Charles Lyell : on formation of earth – gradual change over long span of time – Jean-Baptiste Lamarck : all life arose over time, adapting to the environment, becoming ever more perfect – Charles Darwin : natural selection: biological requirements of survival  On the Origin of Species, 1859  The Descent of Man, 1871 – Herbert Spencer : Social Darwinism = civilization is an organic construct of social evolution  “survival of the fittest”