1 Philos. the philosophical system of Auguste Comte, recognizing only non-metaphysical facts and observable phenomena, and rejecting metaphysics and theism.
2 a religious system founded on this.
3 = logical positivism.
Derivatives:
positivist n. positivistic adj. positivistically adv.
Etymology: F positivisme (as POSITIVE)
Useful english dictionary. 2012.