positivisticallyadv.
/ˌpɒzᵻtᵻˈvɪstᵻkli/, U.S. /ˈˌpɑzədəˈvɪstᵻk(ə)li/ In a positivist or positivistic manner; in the manner of positivism.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > philosophy > empiricism > [adverb]
necessarily1664
positivistically1890
phenomenologically1891
phenomenalistically1909
nomically1921
operationally1925
reductionistically1950
hypothetico-deductively1953
metascientifically1954
1890 W. James Princ. Psychol. I. vi. 177 Nevertheless, this formula which is so unobjectionable if taken vaguely, positivistically, or scientifically, as a mere empirical law of concomitance..tumbles to pieces entirely if we assume to represent anything more intimate or ultimate by it.
1935 Mind 44 128 The difference between the subjective and the objective may be interpreted positivistically by the category of degree which rules the newer physics.
1976 Times Lit. Suppl. 17 Dec. 1590/5 It is just such ordinariness that has so often been lost from psychology in its efforts to deal positivistically with isolated variables.
1997 Jrnl. Econ. Issues (Nexis) 31 781 Since TCE fails to break away from its positivistically grounded view of science, it remains unable to systematically elaborate a structured social ontology.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2006; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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adv.1890