CHAP, vi COMTE'S LAWGIVING 6 1 



favourite reproach of " pedantry " this proposal 

 deserves to be so stigmatised. It is a singular 

 example of his fondness for " Catholicism minus 

 Christianity." The director of conscience is to be 

 made supreme in the whole life of Positivism. 



The only general observation that need be added 

 is upon the name of Polity. Yes, it is indeed a 

 scheme of politics that Comte has given us. There 

 is no contrast left between the organised life of 

 society and its more strictly sociological aspects as a 

 natural growth. May we not say with Mill that the 

 natural tendency of things is simply set aside ? That 

 no serious effort is made to show that the predicted 

 future has its roots in the past ? May we not repeat 

 our previous statement that the predominant partner 

 in the Polity is neither scientific biology nor scientific 

 history, but the wilful will of Auguste Comte ? 



Some of the details of Comte's scheme may now be 

 run over. 



The business of government is to be assigned to a 

 triumvirate of bankers, who are to act as dictators, 

 after consultation with the "supreme pontiff," or 

 head of the spiritual power for all mankind. No 

 more is to be heard of popular rights, they are a 

 metaphysical figment. Henceforth men are to speak 

 only of duties. The dictators will accordingly name 

 their own successors. Limitations on the powers of 

 the dictators will nevertheless exist. First, there will 

 be absolutely free criticism, at the risk of religious 

 excommunication, or boycott, at the bidding of the 

 priests. Secondly, the priests will act as a counter- 

 poise; or rather the spiritual power will do so, 



