1. a person who believes in positivism, the philosophical theory that knowledge comes only from observable facts and scientific methods
Usage: philosophy

1. relating to or characteristic of positivism or positivists
Usage: philosophy

Examples

• The positivist rejected any claims that couldn’t be scientifically verified.
• Auguste Comte was a leading positivist philosopher of the 19th century.
• Her positivist approach to psychology emphasized measurable behavior over mental states.
• The positivist movement influenced many areas of social science.
• Positivist researchers focus on quantifiable data rather than subjective interpretations.
• The debate between positivist and interpretive sociologists continues today.