» For other meanings of positivism, see positivism (disambiguation). Positivism is a philosophy that states that the only authentic knowledge is knowledge that's based on actual sense experience. Such knowledge can only come from affirmation of theories through strict scientific method. Metaphysical speculation is avoided. It was developed by Auguste Comte (widely regarded as the first sociologist) in the middle of the 19th century. In the early 20th century, logical positivism — a stric… (More on Positivist)