positivism

noun

pos·​i·​tiv·​ism ˈpä-zə-ti-ˌvi-zəm 

ˈpäz-ti-

1

a

: a theory that theology and metaphysics are earlier imperfect modes of knowledge and that positive knowledge is based on natural phenomena and their properties and relations as verified by the empirical sciences

b

: logical positivism

2

: the quality or state of being positive

positivist

ˈpä-zə-ti-vist 

ˈpäz-ti-

adjective or noun

positivistic

ˌpä-zə-ti-ˈvi-stik 

ˌpäz-ti-

adjective

positivistically

ˌpä-zə-ti-ˈvi-sti-k(ə-)lē 

ˌpäz-ti-

adverb

Examples of positivism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

But when the layers of complexity settle on one which is congenial with their normative framework the labors of the wizards are done, and the mists which obscure the possibility of positivism clear away! —Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 19 Nov. 2019

This kind of biographical positivism—Eng stays close to the historical facts—has the effect of forestalling the most fertile element of the novel, its manner of layering the narratives. —James Wood, The New Yorker, 6 Nov. 2023

Alas, Jay shows, the self-experimental era ended with the ascendancy of 19th-century French philosopher Auguste Comte’s doctrine of positivism. —Federico Perelmuter, Washington Post, 10 Aug. 2023

Ultimately what Nature's Oracle reminds us is that there are limits to positivism in understanding the history of science, while reiterating the value of positivism in science itself . —Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 7 Apr. 2013

For contemporary conservatives, however, what should matter is that the constitutionalism of the Founding era and its emphasis on limiting arbitrary power wasn’t an exercise in legal positivism, let alone in promoting an open society untethered to any fixed moral, political, or economic principles. —Samuel Gregg, National Review, 6 Feb. 2022

With a strong focus on positivism, purpose, resourcefulness and compassion, each retreat at the 14 participating Rosewood properties will incorporate practices reflective of local wellness traditions and natural surroundings, for guests to heal and re-balance overall well-being. —Roger Sands, Forbes, 15 June 2021

Nominalism and positivism have deluged the world with vast quantities of little-read scholarship whose underlying rationale is often the confutation of the very possibility of the larger-scale intelligibility of the world. —M. D. Aeschliman, National Review, 20 Feb. 2022

Though an innovation of the Post Modern cultural Left, this skepticism of scientific positivism, the progression of knowledge, has bled over to the cultural Right. —Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 21 Nov. 2012

Word History

Etymology

French positivisme, from positif positive + -isme -ism

First Known Use

1842, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing positivism

• logical positivism

Rhymes for positivism

• activism
• ageism
• albinism
• altruism
• aneurism
• animism
• aphorism
• atomism
• barbarism
• bolshevism
• botulism
• brahmanism