Explanation:

- Auguste Comte, a French philosopher, described the evolution of human thought in three stages, famously known as "The Law of Three Stages."

- The first stage is the Theological Stage, where people explain phenomena through supernatural and religious beliefs.

- The second stage is the Metaphysical Stage, where abstract principles and philosophical reasoning dominate explanations.

- The third stage is the Scientific (or Positive) Stage, where empirical observation and scientific methods guide understanding.

- The options are:

- Option 1: Theological (This is the first stage, not the second)

- Option 2: Military (Not directly associated as a stage by Comte)

- Option 3: Metaphysical (This is the second stage)

- Option 4: Scientific (This is the third stage)