COMTE'S POSITIVISM: ITS SOCIOLOGICAL IMPLICATIONS FOR THE CONTEMPORARY STUDY OF RELIGION IN NIGERIA

This article tries to examine religion from sociological point of view. It is area of sociology of religion as created by a French social philosopher, Auguste Comte. Comte’s positivism was a positive thinking and critical evaluation of religion in the search for better sociological religion. It is in this context that Auguste Comte launched a total attack on religion. In terms of methodology, the study employed inter-disciplinary method in the gathering of information. Findings from the research revealed that prior to this time there was no sociological basis of studying religion. Thus, in this writing, we will examine his positivism, what led to the propagation of his positivism, the sociological implications of his philosophy and how his position can enhance social cohesion and solidarity through interreligious dialogue in modern Nigeria. It is recommended that sociology of religion should be a central concern in the study of culture and knowledge towards peaceful co-existence in contemporary Nigeria.