# the proletary class — A General View of Positivism character guide

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

**Role:** supporting

**First appearance:** 0006-iii-the-action-of-positivism-upon-the-working-classes

## Snapshot

The working masses whose untutored aptitude for general views Comte prizes as the natural ally of a doctrine built to reorganize society from the ground up.

## Who they are

In Comte's projected order, the proletarians are neither charity cases nor mob fodder but the class whose practical sympathies and freedom from sterile specialization make them unusually receptive to sweeping synthesis. Their tension lies in being courted as the moral engine of regeneration while remaining the least schooled in the very science meant to guide them. Their early importance is that Positivism's claims to universality are tested by whether this class can actually receive and carry them.

## In the story

### [Introductory Remarks](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_general_view_of_positivism_se/chapters/introductory-remarks)

Identified as a key supporter of Positivism, alongside women, due to their unimpaired good sense and generous sympathies.

### [A General View of Positivism](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_general_view_of_positivism_se/chapters/a-general-view-of-positivism)

Identified as a key ally in the positive regeneration of society.

### [II: The Social Aspect of Positivism, as Shown by Its Connection with the General Revolutionary Movement of Western Europe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_general_view_of_positivism_se/chapters/ii-the-social-aspect-of-positivism-as-shown-by-its-connection-with-the-general-revolutionary-movement-of-western-europe)

Implied as part of the working classes allied with Positivism in the revolutionary movement.

### [The Action of Positivism Upon the Working Classes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_general_view_of_positivism_se/chapters/iii-the-action-of-positivism-upon-the-working-classes)

Identified as the class most suited to ally with Positivism due to their social feeling, realism, and moral instincts.

### [The Influence of Positivism Upon Women](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_general_view_of_positivism_se/chapters/iv-the-influence-of-positivism-upon-women)

Representing Activity in society, allied with philosophers but needing the emotional element supplied by women.

### [The Relation of Positivism to Art](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_general_view_of_positivism_se/chapters/v-the-relation-of-positivism-to-art)

Mentioned as natural patrons of art who are exhorted to seek happiness through moral and mental exercise and aesthetic education.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_general_view_of_positivism_se/characters/the_proletary_class
- 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