Positivism
noun
A philosophy that things can only be known through observable events and facts.
The scientist followed positivism in his research, and only considered data that he could observe and measure.
Often appears as...
- logical positivism
- radical positivism
Usage tips
Formal
Academic
noun
A belief that all knowledge is based solely on experience and observation and excludes subjective or metaphysical speculation.
The students were taught positivism, emphasizing the importance of empirical evidence in their studies.
Often appears as...
- social positivism
- extreme positivism
Usage tips
Formal
Academic
noun
In law, the theory that laws are commands of the human will and not derived from reason or justice.
The judge followed legal positivism, adhering strictly to the written law rather than considering moral or ethical implications.
Often appears as...
- legal positivism
- jurisprudential positivism
Usage tips
Formal
Legal
noun
A philosophy that things can only be known through observable events and facts.
The scientist followed positivism in his research, and only considered data that he could observe and measure.
Often appears as...
- logical positivism
- radical positivism
Usage tips
Formal
Academic
noun
A belief that all knowledge is based solely on experience and observation and excludes subjective or metaphysical speculation.
The students were taught positivism, emphasizing the importance of empirical evidence in their studies.
Often appears as...
- social positivism
- extreme positivism
Usage tips
Formal
Academic
noun
In law, the theory that laws are commands of the human will and not derived from reason or justice.
The judge followed legal positivism, adhering strictly to the written law rather than considering moral or ethical implications.
Often appears as...
- legal positivism
- jurisprudential positivism
Usage tips
Formal
Legal
Definition 1 of 3
Pro Tip 1/2Observable Evidence
Positivism emphasizes knowledge from what can be seen or proven, not personal beliefs.
In his lecture on positivism, the professor highlighted the role of experiments.
Pro Tip 2/2Scientific Approach
Positivism is closely tied to the sciences because it relies on empirical data.
Her positivism was evident when she dismissed theories not backed by science.
Pro Tip 1/2Observable Evidence
Positivism emphasizes knowledge from what can be seen or proven, not personal beliefs.
In his lecture on positivism, the professor highlighted the role of experiments.
Pro Tip 2/2Scientific Approach
Positivism is closely tied to the sciences because it relies on empirical data.
Her positivism was evident when she dismissed theories not backed by science.
Pro Tip 1/2Observable Evidence
Positivism emphasizes knowledge from what can be seen or proven, not personal beliefs.
In his lecture on positivism, the professor highlighted the role of experiments.
Pro Tip 2/2Scientific Approach
Positivism is closely tied to the sciences because it relies on empirical data.
Her positivism was evident when she dismissed theories not backed by science.
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Quote examples
Franklin Foer
American Writer
Brazil is a country largely resistant to ideology. This is a strange fact given its founding by followers of the French philosopher Auguste Comte, who inscribed an epigram from his philosophy of positivism in the national flag: Order and Progress.
Quote examples
Chauncey Wright
American Philosopher
Such evidence is not the only kind which produces belief; though positivism maintains that it is the only kind which ought to produce so high a degree of confidence as all minds have or can be made to have through their agreements.
Quote examples
Murray Rothbard
American Economist
Positivism eliminates any kind of natural law principle - for example, that there are economic laws which can be transgressed only at your peril. With positivism, there is a tendency to leap into ad hoc economic theory.
Quote examples
Franklin Foer
American Writer
Brazil is a country largely resistant to ideology. This is a strange fact given its founding by followers of the French philosopher Auguste Comte, who inscribed an epigram from his philosophy of positivism in the national flag: Order and Progress.
Quote examples
Chauncey Wright
American Philosopher
Such evidence is not the only kind which produces belief; though positivism maintains that it is the only kind which ought to produce so high a degree of confidence as all minds have or can be made to have through their agreements.
Quote examples
Murray Rothbard
American Economist
Positivism eliminates any kind of natural law principle - for example, that there are economic laws which can be transgressed only at your peril. With positivism, there is a tendency to leap into ad hoc economic theory.
Example 1 of 3
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