Each department of knowledge passes through three stages. The

Hear the profound words of Auguste Comte, father of positivism, who declared: “Each department of knowledge passes through three stages. The theoretic stage; the theological stage and the metaphysical or abstract stage.” In this statement, he unveils a vision of the journey of the human mind itself, a journey not swift or simple, but unfolding like the growth of a tree—rooted first in mystery, then reaching toward reason, and finally spreading its branches into the clear sky of abstract thought.

The first is the theological stage, where man, gazing upon the vast unknown, explains the thunder by naming a god, the storm by naming a spirit, the fire by naming a divine will. In this stage, humanity seeks comfort in the sacred and the supernatural, clothing every mystery in the garments of religion. It is the infancy of knowledge, where awe is strong but understanding is dim. This stage is not to be scorned, for it gave meaning to lives and inspired the great myths that still stir our souls.

The second is the metaphysical stage, when man, growing bolder, begins to peel away the myths but still cannot rest in science alone. He speaks of abstract forces, of unseen essences, of vague principles that govern the world. Here philosophy is born—an in-between realm where the divine gives way to the rational, but where explanations still dwell in shadows. It is a bridge, carrying humanity from faith to inquiry, from mystery to reason.

The third is the theoretic stage, the stage of science, when man looks upon nature not with superstition, nor with vague abstractions, but with disciplined observation and clear reasoning. He tests, he measures, he verifies. The heavens are no longer ruled by gods but by laws; the earth is no longer the stage of spirits but the realm of matter, energy, and order. This stage is the maturity of knowledge, when truth is sought not in speculation, but in fact. It is the summit of humanity’s intellectual ascent.

History offers many examples of this journey. Consider the realm of astronomy. In ancient days, the stars were seen as gods or divine messengers—the theological stage. Later, philosophers spoke of celestial spheres and perfect circles, metaphysical forms governing the heavens. But with Copernicus, Galileo, and Newton, astronomy entered the theoretic stage: the planets were revealed as worlds obeying universal laws, their motions explained by gravity and reason. Thus, what began in worship and myth matured into science and understanding.

This is the meaning of Comte’s words: all knowledge grows through stages, and to despise the earlier is to despise the very soil that nourished the later. Yet to cling to the old when the new has been revealed is to halt the progress of the mind. Humanity must honor its past, but also move ever forward, from myth to philosophy, from philosophy to science, from wonder to wisdom.

The lesson for us, O seekers of truth, is clear: recognize the stage in which you dwell. Do not remain content with mystery when inquiry beckons; do not linger in vague speculation when evidence calls. Yet also honor the awe and wonder that first moved humanity to ask questions of the stars. In your own life, let your knowledge grow—start with reverence, move through reflection, and rise into reason. This is the path of all who seek truth.

Thus let Comte’s wisdom be remembered: theological, metaphysical, theoretic—these are not divisions of time alone, but the rhythm of learning itself. Each soul, each society, each science must pass through them. Walk this path humbly, remembering that the goal is not to end wonder, but to unite it with knowledge, so that humanity may walk ever higher toward the light.