Concept

Law of three stages

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idea developed by Auguste Comte

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The first division M. Comte, in his great work, treats in a much more summary manner than the second; and it forms, to our thinking, the weakest part of the treatise. He can hardly have seemed even to himself to have originated, in the statics of society, anything new,[15] unless his revival of the Catholic idea of a Spiritual Power may be so considered.
John Stuart Mill, Auguste Comte and Positivism
Close in meaning to Law of three stages; the term itself is not named.
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This was an early work of Auguste Comte, who then called himself, and even announced himself in the title-page as, a pupil of Saint Simon. In this tract M. Comte first put forth the doctrine, which he afterwards so copiously illustrated, of the natural succession of three stages in every department of human knowledge: first, the theological, next the metaphysical, and lastly, the positive stage; and contended, that…
John Stuart Mill, Autobiography
Close in meaning to Law of three stages; the term itself is not named.
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But on all points that are distinctive of his philosophy, I differ from him. I deny his Hierarchy of the Sciences. I regard his division of intellectual progress into the three phases, theological, metaphysical, and positive, as superficial. I reject utterly his Religion of Humanity. And his ideal of society I hold in detestation.
Herbert Spencer, Illustrations of Universal Progress
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Law of three stages

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