Lecture 5: Logical positivsm Flashcards
How do geographers define positivism?
By the literature it can be concluded that positivism is (often) linked with quantitative geography, but it has a negative connotation. Yet it’s rarely unpacked, defined by or for geographers.
How did classical empiricism emerge?
As a reaction to more traditional, philosophical views regarding what constitutes good knowledge claims.
–> Knowledge claims need to be based on actual observations.
How did John Locke look at empiricism?
agreed with (Bacon’s) emphasis on
observation as the basis for making knowledge claims.
How did David Hume look at empiricism?
largely a fan/supporter of classical
empiricism (and inductive reasoning), but he noticed some flaws in the approach.
What are the limits to empiricism according to David Hume?
- No universal laws.
We can never be certain that the future will resemble the past. We can never make a knowledge claim in which we accept the consequent as true, just because we observe the antecedent.
- Causation and explanation
We can never see the cause happening. Wec an never claim that something causes something else to happen, based on observations. –> biljards. We only see the movement with which you kick the ball forward. Not the actual force/movement itself.
What is positivism?
‘positive’ knowledge as an evolution in the human species. It was an approach of gaining knowledge. Epistemology motivated by particular values.
–> science leads to positive knowledge, which can help society.
What are the main aims of logical positivsm (key terms)?
cleaning up scientific language. Clarifying what it means to make a good scientific claim.
* synthetic and analytic knowledge claims
* Principle of verification
In what forms can knowledge claims come?
Analytic statements (based on deductive reasoning):
Synthetic statements (can be verified empirically). Verification principle
* you can make this claim if in principle, you can verify the statement using observations.
What’s a solution to causality claims being problematic?
Sequential and/or necessary causation. If-then reasoning
What is the problem with logical positivism theory building objective?
How can an entire system of meaning be built? This is difficult
verification and inductive reasoning: can one ever fully verify any statement
limits of theorizing knowledge claims (no links to empirical world).
In what form do Logical positivism and classical empiricism still have an impact today?
Quantitative scholars use of if-then statements (hypotheses).
Notion of verification has morphed into the idea of testing and supporting theory and hypotheses.
What is classical empiricism?
Pure sense observations. No causal statements are possible. No universal laws either.
Characteristics of Logical positivists
Synthetic, descriptive statements
that can be verified
(so general claims that are
not necessarily laws)
Difference between positivism and logical positivism?
Positivsm is about knowledge claims taht need to be based on actual observations. Observing, repeating that and slowly building a stock pile of knowledge that goes no further than what you can empirically observe.
Logical positivism places a stronger emphasis on logical analysis and verification through language, and it tends to be more skeptical of metaphysical or speculative claims.
Comte set the scene for his positive philosophy by arguing that society develops through three successive
stages. Which ones?
Theological Stage:
In this stage a society seeks to explain phenomena through supernatural agents, or ‘personified gods’. Earthquakes may be caused by one god, lightning by another
Metaphysical Stage:
In the metaphysical stage The world is still
explained through reference to the supernatural, but this has become more abstract: a single, all-en-
compassing entity (whether known as God, Allah, Mother Nature, or any other name), rather than
many gods or spirits manifest in the world around us
The positive stage is the final stage in Comte’s theory of societal development.
Describing the world and how it works. This understanding is founded on
observation and reason
The positive stage represents a commitment to rationality, evidence-based reasoning, and the pursuit of knowledge through empirical means.
