Comparison of Auguste Comte’s and Mesbah Yazdi’s views on the conceptualization of social solidarity and the causes and factors contributing to its formation and reinforcement.

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Maaref, Faculty of Humanities, University of Guilan, Rasht, Guilan

2 Associate Professor, Department of Social Sciences, University of Tehran

3 Assistant Professor, Department of Social Sciences, Baqir al-Olum University

Abstract

The aim of this study is to examine and compare the views of Auguste Comte and Allameh Mesbah Yazdi on the issue of social solidarity, the causes of its emergence, and the factors that reinforce it. The research method is narrative-historical, and data collection has been conducted through documentary and library-based sources. The researcher has gathered the data by consulting library resources, bibliographic information systems, and reputable academic databases. The method of data processing and analysis is descriptive-analytical. The stronger the solidarity among members of a society—and between the people and the rulers—the more favorable the conditions for the society’s survival and development will be. Auguste Comte ascribes intrinsic and fundamental value to social solidarity and considers its primary sources to be the human mind (the agreement of minds and shared beliefs), religion, and the division of labor. In contrast, Allameh Mesbah Yazdi regards social solidarity as an instrumental value and identifies the rational faculty (guided collective reason) as the most important factor in its formation. Based on this perspective, he examines various forms of social relations and considers the highest form of solidarity to be that which is grounded in true religion, as it can secure both the material and spiritual well-being of the members of society. In his view, the division of labor can also strengthen this solidarity. Overall, Allameh Mesbah Yazdi regards the rational faculty as the principal factor underlying social solidarity and, within the framework of analyzing different types of social relations, considers the best form of solidarity to be the one established around true religion, which ensures both the material and spiritual interests of society. Meanwhile, Auguste Comte also identifies religion as one of the factors contributing to social solidarity, but the form of religion he envisions is one inspired by positivism.

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