POSITIVE STATEMENT Meaning and
Definition
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A positive statement refers to a subjective or objective statement that expresses a fact or reality about a particular subject or situation. It aims to describe what is true in a neutral and unbiased manner, relying on evidence, data, or observation to support its claims. Positive statements focus on existing states of affairs and do not make judgments or opinions. They can be testable and verifiable, leading to agreement or disagreement based on the evidence provided.
Positive statements are commonly found in various fields such as economics, science, and social sciences. In economic studies, for instance, positive statements would focus on describing the relationship between variables, explaining economic phenomena or predicting outcomes based on historical data. Similarly, in scientific research, positive statements are employed to describe observed patterns, conduct experimental analysis, and make predictions based on empirical evidence.
The clarity and objectivity of positive statements are crucial in order to differentiate them from normative statements, which involve opinions, preferences, or judgments about what should or ought to be. While positive statements seek to describe what is, normative statements aim to prescribe what should be. It is essential to maintain this distinction to ensure the objectivity and scientific rigor of positive statements when analyzing and interpreting diverse subject matters.
Etymology of POSITIVE STATEMENT
The word "positive" derives from the Latin term "positivus", which is the past participle of the verb "ponere", meaning "to place" or "to lay down". In this sense, "positive" originally referred to something that is asserted or affirmed.
The term "statement" comes from the Old French word "estat", meaning "position" or "condition", which is derived from the Latin "status". "Statement" refers to a formal expression or declaration of fact, opinion, or information.
Therefore, the etymology of "positive statement" reflects the combination of the Latin "positivus", meaning something asserted or affirmed, and the Old French "estat", referring to a formal expression or declaration.
