pos·i·tiv·ism

(pŏz′ĭ-tĭ-vĭz′əm)

1. Philosophy

a. A doctrine contending that sense perceptions are the only admissible basis of human knowledge and precise thought.

b. The application of this doctrine in logic, epistemology, and ethics.

c. The system of Auguste Comte designed to supersede theology and metaphysics and depending on a hierarchy of the sciences, beginning with mathematics and culminating in sociology.

d. Any of several doctrines or viewpoints, often similar to Comte's, that stress attention to actual practice over consideration of what is ideal: "Positivism became the 'scientific' base for authoritarian politics, especially in Mexico and Brazil" (Raymond Carr).

2. The state or quality of being positive.

pos′i·tiv·ist, pos′i·tiv·is′tic adj.

pos′i·tiv·ist n.

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

positivism

(ˈpɒzɪtɪˌvɪzəm)

1. (Philosophy) a strong form of empiricism, esp as established in the philosophical system of Auguste Comte, that rejects metaphysics and theology as seeking knowledge beyond the scope of experience, and holds that experimental investigation and observation are the only sources of substantial knowledge. See also logical positivism

2. (Law) Also called: legal positivism the jurisprudential doctrine that the legitimacy of a law depends on its being enacted in proper form, rather than on its content. Compare natural law³

3. the quality of being definite, certain, etc

ˈpositivist n, adj

ˌpositivˈistic adj

ˌpositivˈistically adv

Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

pos•i•tiv•ism

(ˈpɒz ɪ təˌvɪz əm)

n.

1. the state or quality of being positive.

2. a philosophical system concerned with positive facts and phenomena, and excluding speculation upon ultimate causes or origins.

[1850–55]

pos′i•tiv•ist, adj., n.

pos`i•tiv•is′tic, adj.

positivism

1. a philosophical system developed by Auguste Comte, concerned with positive facts and phenomena, the flrst verifled by the methods of the empirical sciences, the second explainable by scientific laws. Also called Comtism.
2. a contemporary philosophical movement stressing the task of philosophy as criticizing and analyzing science, and rejecting all transcendental metaphysics. Also called logical positivism. — positivist, n. — positivistic, adj.

positivism

A philosophical doctrine that we can only have knowledge of things we experience through the senses.

ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:

Noun	1.	positivism - the form of empiricism that bases all knowledge on perceptual experience (not on intuition or revelation) logical positivism empiricism, empiricist philosophy, sensationalism - (philosophy) the doctrine that knowledge derives from experience Comtism - Auguste Comte's positivistic philosophy that metaphysics and theology should be replaced by a hierarchy of sciences from mathematics at the base to sociology at the top
	2.	positivism - a quality or state characterized by certainty or acceptance or affirmation and dogmatic assertiveness positiveness, positivity quality - an essential and distinguishing attribute of something or someone; "the quality of mercy is not strained"--Shakespeare assertiveness, self-assertiveness - aggressive self-assurance; given to making bold assertions

Translations

positivismo

positivism

[ˈpɒzɪtɪvɪzəm] N → positivismo m

Collins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005

positivism

[ˈpɒzɪtɪvɪzəm] n → positivisme m

positivism

n → Positivismus m

Collins German Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 7th Edition 2005. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1980 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007

positivism

[ˈpɒzɪtɪvɪzm] n → positivismo