Final answer:
Auguste Comte proposed positivism as the third stage in societal development and established a hierarchy of sciences culminating in sociology, a discipline aimed at empirically studying and progressing society. His work influenced both the quantitative and qualitative methodologies in contemporary sociology.
Step-by-step explanation:
Auguste Comte, a French philosopher, is often regarded as the father of sociology and posited a hierarchy of the positivistic sciences within the context of his broader social theory aimed at advancing society toward peace and stability. Comte crafted the idea of positivism which represented the third stage in the development of societies; a stage where people would focus on observable, empirical evidence and reject religious explanations. He proposed the law of three stages, where the theological stage gives way to the metaphysical stage and finally to the positive stage, wherein human progress is rooted in scientific understanding and empirical study. Sociology, as envisioned by Comte, was to focus on discovering and applying the laws of human interaction to improve education, eradicate poverty, and contribute to societal welfare.
Comte's influence extended beyond his time, inspiring others such as Harriet Martineau, who translated his works and made significant contributions to sociology herself. The impact of Comte's work can be seen in the ongoing conflict between quantitative sociology (based in positivism) and qualitative sociology (oriented around antipositivism) as they apply different methodological approaches to the study of society. Comte's legacy endures in modern sociology, continuing to inform the discipline's methodologies and approach toward studying social phenomena.