positivism
POZ-ih-tiv-iz-um
/ˈpɒz.ɪ.tɪv.ɪz.əm/
A philosophical doctrine stating that genuine knowledge is derived solely from empirical science and logical proofs, rejecting metaphysics and theology.
Strictly rejects any claims about reality that cannot be verified through physical sensory observation or logical deduction.
The story behind the word. Coined in French as 'positivisme' by philosopher Auguste Comte in the 1830s, from Latin 'positivus' (settled, fixed by agreement), derived from 'ponere' (to put or place). Comte used 'positive' to mean real, useful, precise, and indisputable knowledge—facts that are firmly 'placed' by observation rather than invented by religious speculation.
Word relationships
- scientism: Scientism is often a critical term for excessive belief in science, whereas positivism is a formal historical school of philosophy.
- metaphysics: Metaphysics explores questions of existence beyond physical measurement, which positivism rejects as non-verifiable.
Commonly confused with
- positivity: Positivity refers to optimism or upbeat mood, whereas positivism refers to a scientific philosophy based on positive (settled) facts.
Word family
- positivist (noun): An adherent of positivism.
- positivistic (adjective): Exhibiting the principles of positivism.
Collocations
- logical positivism
- legal positivism
- strict positivism
- tenets of positivism
Example sentences
- "Auguste Comte developed nineteenth-century positivism, claiming human thought evolves from religion through metaphysics to pure empirical science." History of philosophy
- "Logical positivism asserted that any statement that is neither empirically verifiable nor mathematically tautological is literally meaningless." Logical analysis
Memory hook
POSITIVISM is POSITIVE that only POSITIVELY measured scientific facts count as knowledge. Only scientifically proven facts constitute real knowledge.
When not to use
Do not use to describe an optimistic or cheerful attitude toward life.
Fun facts
- Logical Positivists in Vienna during the 1920s claimed that poetry, ethics, and religion were non-sense because they could not be proven in a laboratory.
Related words
Explore more words
empiricism, empirical, a posteriori, falsify, a priori, metaphysical
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