Michael Singer 
The Legacy of Positivism 

This book gives a unique historical and interpretive analysis of a widely pervasive mode of thought that it describes as the legacy of positivism. Viewing Auguste Comte as a pivotal figure, it charts the historical origins of his positivism and follows its later development through John Stuart Mill and Émile Littré. It shows how epistemological shifts in positivism influenced parallel developments in the human and legal sciences, and thereby treats legal positivism and positivism as it is understood in the human sciences within a common framework.

Table of Content

PART I: THE POSITIVISM OF AUGUSTE COMTE The Philosophy of Positivism The Structure of a Positive Science Positivist Social Reorganization PART II: THE DEVELOPMENT OF POSITIVISM THROUGH MILL AND LITTRÉ Comte and Mill The Critic and the Disciple The Structure of the Legacy of Positivism PART III: THE LEGACY OF POSITIVISM IN LAW The Legacy of Positivism in the Autonomy of Law Aspects of the Legacy of Positivism in Law Bibliography Index

About the author

MICHAEL SINGER holds degrees in mathematics (M.A., Cambridge University, and Ph.D., London University) and law (J.D., Stanford University). He has been a member of university faculties and published extensively in both mathematics and law. Since 1999 he has been a Senior Research Fellow at the School of Law, King’s College London.