positivistically
1
9.9
- adverb
- /ˌpɒzɪtɪˈvɪstɪkli/
- Formal
- When discussing scientific theories, he argued positivistically that only observable phenomena should be considered valid.
Examples
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The researchers approached the problem positivistically, using only data that could be empirically verified.
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While I continue to be inspired by and try to emulate the careful designs and rigorous approaches to research problems that the behavioralists favor, I can no longer picture myself positivistically proposition-testing my way to international relations theory.
Academic text (1990) -
Positivistically speaking, Bull is correct.
Academic text (1990) -
But again, positivistically unverifiable does not necessarily mean untrue.
Academic text (1990) -
Philosophers who think positivistically often reject metaphysical claims that cannot be tested or observed.
Antonyms
Surface Forms
Morphology
positivistically = positivistic (semi-transparent) = positiv + ist + ic + ally
The adverb is formed by adding the regular adverbial suffix '-ally' to the adjective 'positivistic', a standard and predictable derivation.
Etymology
Positivistically comes from the idea called positivism, which says we should trust only what we can 'see' and 'measure'. It shares the same root as positive, meaning 'based on fact', so to act positivistically is to focus on observable facts and scientific proof.