POSITIVISM Meaning and
Definition
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Positivism is a philosophical stance that emphasizes the importance of empirical evidence and scientific methods in comprehending and understanding the world. It is based on the belief that genuine knowledge can only be acquired through observation, measurement, and experimentation, rather than through intuition, speculation, or subjective experience alone. Positivism seeks to establish a clear distinction between objective facts and subjective opinions or beliefs.
In positivist thought, the scientific method serves as the primary tool for generating reliable and objective knowledge. Positivists advocate for a strict adherence to rationality, objectivity, and logical positivism, rejecting metaphysical or supernatural explanations in favor of verifiable facts and observable phenomena.
Positivism emerged in the 19th century and gained prominence through the works of influential philosophers like Auguste Comte and John Stuart Mill. Comte, often regarded as the father of positivism, proposed a grand vision for a new, positivist society based on sociological principles and the systematic study of human behavior.
Critics argue that positivism has limitations, as not all aspects of reality can be completely captured through the scientific method alone. They suggest that subjective experiences, emotions, and values are equally essential in understanding the human condition. Furthermore, positivism has been criticized for its potential to dismiss less tangible or non-verifiable aspects of life, such as spirituality or metaphysics. However, positivism remains a significant approach in many scientific disciplines, contributing to advances in fields like physics, biology, psychology, and social sciences.
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A term applied to a French system of philosophy, originated by M. Auguste Comte, which excludes from philosophy everything except the natural phenomena or properties of knowable things, and which holds all inquiry into causes, wheather efficient or final, to be useless and unprofitable.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
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Etymology of POSITIVISM
The word "positivism" originated from the Latin term "positivus", which means "positive" or "factual". It was derived from the verb "ponere", meaning "to place" or "to posit". The term was first used in the early 19th century by the philosopher and sociologist Auguste Comte, who developed the philosophical system known as positivism. Comte believed that knowledge should be based on observable facts and that scientific methods should be applied to the understanding of social phenomena. This gave rise to the term "positivism" as the philosophical perspective that emphasizes the importance of empirical evidence and rejects metaphysical or speculative reasoning.
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