Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
positivism
noun
/ˈpɒz.ɪ.tɪv.ɪ.zəm/
Definition
A philosophical theory stating that only scientific knowledge derived from empirical evidence, such as experiments and observations, is of real value.
Examples
- Positivism has greatly influenced the development of the social sciences.
- The positivism movement encouraged researchers to rely on measurable data.
Meaning
Positivism emphasizes the importance of observable phenomena and promotes the idea that knowledge should be based on facts and experience rather than on intuition or speculation.
Synonyms
- Empiricism
- Logical positivism
- Scientific realism
