Final answer:
Auguste Comte, influenced by the political revolutions in France, proposed the philosophy of positivism and established the Religion of Humanity, influencing modern secular humanism and the field of sociology.
Step-by-step explanation:
Auguste Comte, a French philosopher and the first philosopher of science, developed a theory known as positivism, which was his vision for a peaceful society following the tumultuous period of political revolutions in France. Comte experienced the challenges of a society transitioning away from traditional religious beliefs and towards a scientific understanding of the world. In this shift, he recognized that the structure and rituals provided by religion were important for societal stability. In response, Comte founded his own church in 1849, known as the Religion of Humanity, which aimed to offer the order and community people were accustomed to within traditional religion, while being rooted in the secular principles of positivism.
Comte's Religion of Humanity, despite not gaining widespread acceptance, laid the groundwork for what is understood today as secular humanism. It proposed the celebration of humanity's achievements and moral values over the worship of a divine being, endeavoring to fulfill the societal functions of religions such as creating a sense of community and providing moral guidance but without supernatural beliefs. Comte's concept of sociology as a science of society also played a crucial role in the development and establishment of the discipline of sociology, especially through its influence in American universities.