True or False: Comte's definition of science allows for introspection as a valid means of knowing.

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Comte's definition of science is rooted in positivism, which emphasizes empirical observation and the objective study of phenomena. According to Comte, legitimate scientific inquiry should focus on observable facts and relationships rather than subjective experiences or internal states that cannot be measured or verified. Introspection, being a method that relies on self-observation of one's thoughts and feelings, does not align with Comte's emphasis on measurable data and observable behavior.

In this context, the statement is false because Comte explicitly rejected methods like introspection, which he deemed unscientific, favoring instead methods that adhere to empirical evidence and external validation. His approach laid the groundwork for the development of social sciences and established a clear distinction between scientific disciplines based on observable phenomena and those based on subjective experience.

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