<|im_start|>system
You are a helpful AI assistant.<|im_end|>
<|im_start|>user
What is "Positivism" and why was it prominent in early 20th century and late 19th century historiographies?<|im_end|>
<|im_start|>assistant
Positivism is a philosophical theory that states that all knowledge must be derived from experience and observation rather than from other sources such as intuition, metaphysics, or theology. It is based on the idea that the only way to truly know something is to observe it with the senses and to use reason and logic to interpret the data. Positivism holds that any knowledge that is not based on empirical evidence is unreliable and thus should be discarded.

It was prominent in the late 19th and early 20th centuries because of the influential work of Émile Durkheim. Durkheim's work and methodologies had a major impact on the academic discipline of sociology, and his ideas and theories continue to be influential today. He established the notion of objective _sui generis_ “social facts” as a unique empirical object for the science of sociology to study, which allowed for an analysis of a given society to determine whether it was “healthy” or “pathological”. His work set the stage for modern sociology and continues to be influential in the field.<|im_end|>
<|im_start|>user
Interesting. Doesn't this type of philosophy have a blind spot insofar as all empirical evidence and experience must be somehow evaluated with knowledge that is known a priori? I mean, as an example, I know how to use math to verify a theorem used when designing bridges but how do I learn math in the first place? Does any Positivist philosophy address this topic?<|im_end|>
<|im_start|>assistant
Yes, this is a valid concern which is addressed by the philosophy of Positivism. The main idea behind the Positivist philosophy is that knowledge must be based on observed facts and testable evidence, rather than on conjecture or unverifiable beliefs. This allows for empirical data to be used in creating new theories about the world around us, allowing for more accurate predictions and solutions to problems. Additionally, Positivism also emphasizes the importance of applying scientific methods to all areas of study and life in general. Thus, it can provide an effective way to evaluate empirical evidence through its application of scientific methods.<|im_end|>
<|im_start|>user
Could you please roughly summarize it in 3 to 4 paragraphs? I seriously dont feel like reading all that lol<|im_end|>
<|im_start|>assistant
Positivism is a philosophical and social theory that emerged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It holds that knowledge can only be obtained through empirical observation and scientific methods, and that metaphysical or religious ideas should be rejected. The goal of positivism was to create a scientific and rational approach to understanding the world, and to use this understanding to improve human society.

The founder of positivism was French philosopher Auguste Comte, who believed that the study of society could be based on the same scientific principles as the study of the natural world. He believed that society could be studied through observation and measurement, and that the social sciences could develop universal laws that would explain human behavior. Comte's ideas were influential in the development of sociology, and his emphasis on empirical research and observation still informs social scientific research today.

Positivism was prominent in early 20th century and late 19th century historiography because it provided a new way of understanding history. Positivist historians believed that history could be studied scientifically, and that historical events could be explained through objective analysis of empirical evidence. They rejected metaphysical or religious explanations of history, and focused instead on identifying social, economic, and political factors that influenced historical events. This approach to history influenced many fields, including political science, economics, and anthropology, and helped to create a more scientific and empirical approach to understanding the past.

While positivism has been criticized for its rejection of metaphysical and religious ideas, and for its emphasis on empirical evidence at the expense of subjective experience, it remains an important influence in the development of modern social science. Its emphasis on scientific methods and empirical observation has helped to create a more systematic and objective approach to understanding the world, and its legacy can be seen in many fields today.<|im_end|>