Auguste Comte and Positivism — John Stuart Mill

Auguste Comte was a French philosopher who developed the doctrine of positivism -- which says that authentic knowledge is only what can be proven by the scientific method -- in an attempt to ameliorate the melancholy brought on by the French revolution. He influenced a number of eminent thinkers, including John Stuart Mill. Mill's survey of the main principles of his close friend's philosophy is engaging reading for anyone passionate about philosophy.