Positivism

Positivism is a philosophical theory stating that certain ("positive") knowledge is based on natural phenomena and their properties and relations. Thus, information derived from sensory experience, interpreted through reason and logic, forms the exclusive source of all certain knowledge. Positivism holds that valid knowledge (certitude or truth) is found only in this a posteriori knowledge.

History

Positivism was founded by Auguste Comte, a French philosopher, in the mid-19th century. Comte's goal was to create a naturalistic science of society, which would both explain and predict human behavior.

Principles

The main principles of positivism are:

• The use of scientific methods to study society.
• The belief that all true knowledge is scientific.
• The belief that science should be value-free.
• The belief that science can and should be used to answer all questions.

Criticism

Positivism has been criticized for its emphasis on the scientific method and its rejection of metaphysics. Critics argue that it ignores the complexity of human nature and the social world.

See also

• Empiricism
• Scientific method
• Sociology
• Philosophy of science

External links

• Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy: Positivism
• Britannica: Positivism

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