Positivism is not about being positive all the time or looking at the positive side of the situation, if ever you fail in life.
It is a theory developed by Auguste Comte, which states that real knowledge comes from what we can see, measure, and test.
It rejects subjective experiences, intuition, and religion. So, that emotion you are feeling right now? That is not “true” for positivists.
Emotions are real, but they only count as knowledge when studied through measurable, scientific methods.
It played a big role in the development of sociology, as it showed that we can study society like a science.
We can collect data, spot patterns, test ideas, and draw conclusions based on evidence, not opinions, if we want to understand it.
Positivism Believes That True Knowledge Is Observable and Verifiable
For positivists, if we can’t measure or observe something, it is not a reliable source of knowledge.
It counts as true only if it makes sense, can be seen or tested, and stays the same no matter who is looking.
Sensible
Something is sensible if it can be shared, taught, and understood by different people without requiring faith or cultural background.
It should be practical and applicable to real life.
Observable
Knowledge must be tied to what we can see, hear, or measure with our senses or with the help of scientific tools.
Anything observable can be detected through the senses, which means using sight, hearing, touch, taste, or smell.
If it can be observed by different people under the same conditions, then it is more likely to be true.
Verifiable
For knowledge to be valid, it must be tested and confirmed by others. It protects us from deception, fraud, and unfair biases.
Objective
Knowledge should be free from personal bias, emotions, or cultural influences. The truth should be the same no matter who observes it.
It may be impossible, especially in social sciences, but systematic methods and critical peer reviews exist to achieve that.
Positivism and the Law of Three Stages
According to Comte, society passes through three main stages of thought: theological, metaphysical, and positive.
Theological Stage
In this stage, we explain the world through supernatural forces. We believe that some situations are caused by gods or the universe.
This was common in ancient civilizations, which created religious systems and rituals to make sense of the unknown.
Metaphysical Stage
When we reach the metaphysical stage, we move away from religious explanations but still don’t rely on science.
We use abstract reasoning and philosophy to explain the world.
Metaphysical is abstract because it deals with concepts beyond physical reality, like existence or the nature of being.
The problem with this stage is that it uses concepts that are vague and can’t be tested, like “essence” or “purpose.” It lacked concrete evidence.
Positive Stage
Here, we finally rely on science, observation, and evidence. We study causes and effects using experiments and data.
Once we reach this point, we can attain peace and order, since we would stop fighting over conflicting religious or philosophical beliefs.
Positivism Rejects Intuition, Religion, and Subjective Experiences
For positivists, anything that can’t be measured or proven is unreliable because it differs from person to person and can’t be verified.
It makes sense, but a lot of the things in life are abstract and subjective, so it overlooks valuable parts of being human.
This includes emotions, beliefs, creativity, and personal meaning, which shape how we live and relate to others.
