text:  Comte mean this only--which we presume to be the case--that these methods of thought are in succession predominant and brought to maturity? If so what necessity for this _metaphysic_ apparatus for the sole purpose of _transition_? If each of these great modes the positive and theological has its independent source and is equally spontaneous--if they have in fact been all along contemporary though in different stages of development the function attributed to the metaphysic mode is utterly superfluous; there can be no place for it; there is no transition for it to operate