Auguste Comte and the Prospects for a Technocracy of the Right

Technocracy is one of the keywords of the era. But what is the relationship between technocratic expertise and morality? And must technocracy always have a left-wing valence? This seminar considers those fundamental questions by looking at the work of Auguste Comte (1789-1857). An influential founder of sociology, Comte responded to the turbulent aftermath of the French Revolution by propounding one of the most ambitious technocratic projects ever: a state in which workers would voluntarily abdicate political power in favor of a division of labor. On the one hand, there would be the “temporal power,” placed in the hands of bankers/captains of industry; and on the other hand, there would be the “spiritual power,” located in a scientific elite who would direct not only education but also public opinion, and who would moreover serve as priests of a new science-based Religion of Humanity.

Dinner and drinks will be provided.

This seminar is for students and young professionals. The deadline for registration is Friday, May 20th.

Readings: 

1. Auguste Comte, A General View of Positivism, Ch. 6
2. Auguste Comte, "Considerations on the Spiritual Power"
3. Suggested Further Reading: H.S. Jones, "Introduction to Auguste Comte"

Speaker

Greg Conti is assistant professor of Politics at Princeton University. He studies the history of liberalism, democracy, and representative government.

Image from here.