# the priesthood — A General View of Positivism character guide

> the priesthood in A General View of Positivism by Auguste Comte.

**Role:** supporting

**First appearance:** 0003-a-general-view-of-positivism

## Snapshot

The new spiritual authority of Positivist society, a moral government meant to guide and protect rather than to rule by force.

## Who they are

The priesthood is the organized spiritual power that Positivism proposes to institute, drawn from philosophers and working men in coalition and sustained by the support of women. Its tension lies in claiming authority without coercion, protecting the people against the oppressive temporal power while depending on their patronage to gain influence over the higher ranks. It matters because the book's political program hinges on whether such a moral government can actually take root.

## Relationships

### [Humanity](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_general_view_of_positivism_se/characters/humanity)

_professional_

The Positivist priesthood serves Humanity by guiding its spiritual and moral education.

### [Catholic Feudalism](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_general_view_of_positivism_se/characters/catholic_feudalism)

_social_

Catholic Feudalism and the priesthood share a historical alliance of spiritual and temporal power.

## In the story

### [VI: Conclusion: The Religion of Humanity](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_general_view_of_positivism_se/chapters/vi-conclusion-the-religion-of-humanity)

Positivist priests who, with the assistance of women, will modify social order by contrasting ideal merit with actual rank.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_general_view_of_positivism_se/characters/the_priesthood
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_general_view_of_positivism_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_general_view_of_positivism_se/characters