19th Century Society: Positivism, Scientism, and Social Change
19th Century Society, Science, and Philosophy
The Rise of Positivism
The new literary movement was theoretically based on positivism, a philosophy inaugurated by Auguste Comte. Positivism, which reached its peak with the publication of Course of Positive Philosophy, focused on observable facts verifiable through experience. Comte argued that human reason should focus on positive sciences like mathematics, physics, biology, and chemistry, dispensing with theological and metaphysical concerns. This theory greatly influenced the literature of the time, contributing to the birth of an agnostic novel concerned with external reality and social issues, particularly in Naturalism.
Scientism and its Influence
Scientism, a result of positivist philosophy and scientific advancements, exalted science as a response to life’s great questions. This belief in the power of science influenced literature, leading to new genres. The detective story and science fiction emerged as a result of this scientific focus.
The Detective Story
The detective story, popularized by Edgar Allan Poe, features criminal actions presented with mystery and requiring rational explanation by a detective. Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes became a champion of the deductive method, ensuring editorial success.
The Novel in Advance (Science Fiction)
Jules Verne is considered the true creator of science fiction. Starting in 1863, he published novels centered around possible scientific discoveries, such as submarines and spacecraft. Notable works include Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea, From the Earth to the Moon, Around the World in 80 Days, and Journey to the Center of the Earth.
Social Conditioning and the Industrial Revolution
The 19th century saw the rise of the middle class due to the Industrial Revolution. The triumph of the machine enhanced the bourgeoisie, leading to the abandonment of liberal ideals and the birth of capitalism. This system transformed Western society, diminishing the importance of inherited aristocracy and elevating the “aristocracy of money.” A new class, the industrial proletariat, emerged at the base of the social pyramid, subject to the needs of production and living in poverty.