positivism
gb/pˈɑzɪtɪvˌɪzəm/ us/pˈɑzɪtɪvˌɪzəm/
C2
Anglais
Sens
0 sens
Nom
technical
C2
abstract
1
Observable-fact theory of knowledge
the belief that real knowledge should come from facts that can be observed, measured, or tested scientifically
Schéma d’usage :
positivism; [adjective] positivism; positivism about [field]
Erreur fréquente :
In current English, positivism usually does not mean a cheerful attitude; use positivity or optimism for that.
Synonymes
empiricism (Broader term for basing knowledge on experience and observation.)
|
scientism (Often critical; suggests excessive faith in scientific methods.)
|
verificationism (More specifically connects meaning or knowledge with verifiability.)
Antonymes
anti-positivism (Rejects or challenges positivist assumptions.)
|
metaphysics (Deals with questions beyond direct empirical verification.)
Collocations
classical positivism
|scientific positivism
|strict positivism
|nineteenth-century positivism
|positivist philosophy
|positivist tradition
|doctrine of positivism
|critique of positivism
|reject positivism
Thèmes
philosophy
|science
|epistemology
Exemples
- Nineteenth-century positivism treated science as the model for all reliable knowledge.
- The course contrasts positivism with approaches that emphasize interpretation and lived experience.
- Critics argue that positivism ignores values and meanings that cannot be measured directly.
Exemples pédagogiques
- Positivism says knowledge should be based on facts and evidence.
- Many philosophers have criticized positivism.
Nom
technical
C2
abstract
2
Measurement-based social research
a way of studying society by measuring facts and looking for causes, rather than focusing mainly on personal meanings or interpretations
Schéma d’usage :
positivism in [discipline]; a positivism that emphasizes [method]
Erreur fréquente :
Do not confuse this with positivity, which means a positive or optimistic attitude.
Synonymes
objectivism (Emphasizes objective reality or objective methods, but is less specific.)
|
empirical approach (Focuses on evidence from observation; less philosophical than positivism.)
|
naturalism (In social science, suggests modeling social inquiry on natural science.)
Antonymes
interpretivism (Emphasizes meanings, contexts, and interpretation rather than measurement alone.)
|
constructivism (Emphasizes how knowledge and social reality are constructed.)
|
anti-positivism (Directly opposes positivist assumptions in social research.)
Collocations
positivism in sociology
|methodological positivism
|sociological positivism
|positivist methodology
|positivist approach
|positivist research
|challenge positivism
|reject positivism
|critique of positivism
Thèmes
social_science
|research
|methodology
Exemples
- In sociology, positivism influenced early attempts to discover laws of social behavior.
- Her dissertation rejects strict positivism and uses interviews to explore lived experience.
- The article argues that positivism cannot fully explain how people create social meaning.
Exemples pédagogiques
- In this class, positivism means studying society with scientific methods.
- The researcher preferred interviews to strict positivism.
Grammaire
Forme canonique
positivism
API
GB/pˈɑzɪtɪvˌɪzəm/
US/pˈɑzɪtɪvˌɪzəm/
Syllabes et accentuation
pos - it - iv - ism (4 syllabes)
Stress on 1st syllable (pos)
Formes du mot
Noun
- Base: positivism
- Plural: positivism
Expressions
comtean positivism
1/kˈɑmtən pˈɑzɪtɪvˌɪzəm/
fixed phrase
technical
Comte's positivist system
Auguste Comte's version of positivism, which presented science as the basis for understanding and organizing society
Exemples
- The lecturer traced the influence of Comtean positivism on early sociology.
- Comtean positivism linked scientific progress with hopes for social order.
- Some later sociologists accepted parts of Comtean positivism but rejected its more sweeping claims.
legal positivism
1/lˈiɡəl pˈɑzɪtɪvˌɪzəm/
fixed phrase
legal
Law based on social sources
the view that a rule can be valid law because it comes from the proper legal authority, even if it is morally wrong
Exemples
- Legal positivism separates the question of what the law is from the question of what the law ought to be.
- Hart is one of the most influential defenders of legal positivism.
- Critics of legal positivism argue that morality cannot be fully separated from law.
logical positivism
1/lˈɑd͡ʒɪkəl pˈɑzɪtɪvˌɪzəm/
fixed phrase
technical
Verification-based philosophy movement
a school of philosophy that said statements should be logically true or testable by experience to be meaningful
Exemples
- Logical positivism shaped early analytic philosophy in the twentieth century.
- A. J. Ayer introduced logical positivism to many English-speaking readers.
- The seminar examined why logical positivism rejected traditional metaphysics.