noun
-
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
-
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 law
-
the quality of being definite, certain, etc
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of positivism
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
He looked skeptically upon the heroic positivism he encountered in his science and philosophy classes there but found solace in the books of Friedrich Nietzsche.
From New York Times ● Oct. 12, 2022
Comte believed that humanity would struggle to transition to positivism, as religions provided comforting and meaningful structure and rituals.
From Textbooks ● Jun. 15, 2022
But there are other, more interesting questions to ask: what is Miss World’s place now, in the era of body positivism and fourth-wave feminism?
From The Guardian ● Dec. 8, 2019
For the recordings, Harrison’s signature slide-guitar sound was in full flower, adorning the LP with buoyancy and positivism.
From Salon ● Mar. 29, 2019
Agnostic positivism, of course, admits this principle theoretically in the most cordial terms, but insists that we must not turn it to any practical use.
From The Will to Believe : and Other Essays in Popular Philosophy by James, William
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
