Sociological Theory

Positivist Theory of Science

There is still no consensus with regards the nature of the social sciences. Comte was self-conscious to promote a distinct view. It had a tremendous influence on all subsequent

thinking. It is called "positivism." Positivism isa term still in use even though these days, few people would identify themselves as positivists. (Some would accept neopositivist; most prefer "empiricist.") Positivism defines a philosophy of science withclear roots in early modern epistemology beginning with at least with David Hume (d. 1776). It came to maturity with so called "logical positivism" in the 1930s and until only recently dominated talk about thecharacter of science, both natural science and social science. The word 'positivism' (like 'soiology') owes to Comte. For him, positivism referred to the last "scientific stage" in the development of "mind." But more important, Comte also set out fairly clearly the main ideas of positivist philosophy of science. IN all that follows in this course, I take Comte's characterization to define positivism. (All the key terms in this section, including "epistemology," "empiricism" are in your glossary. Check it out!)Comte was influenced by David Hume (d. 1776) and by Emanuel Kant Critique of Pure Reason1780). While Hume and Kant offer different epistemologies, they are both empiricistsand positivists on Comte's very acute definition. There are several alternatives to positivism in the theory of science. As we shall see both Marx and Weber offer altern

atives. Marx, in particular, offers a strong from of scientific realism, what for me, is the preferred alternative. For Comte, there are three defining characteristics of positivism (all set out clearly in the Comte text): First, he insisted that 'metaphysical' and 'fictitious') ideas were no part ofscience. This was a main thesis of Kant's highly influential Critique of Pure ReasonConsider (from Freud) repression. If we understand repression (as Freud did) to...