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.
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