Difference Between Positivism and Empiricism

Thekey difference在实证主义和经验主义之间positivism is a theory that states that all authenticknowledgeis scientific knowledge whereas empiricism is a theory that states that the sense experience is the source and origin of all knowledge.

Positivism and empiricism are two related philosophical theories. Positivism describes the nature of knowledge, i.e, the verification of knowledge through scientific methods. Empiricism, on the other hand, describes the source and origin of knowledge. Furthermore, it is important to note that positivism is built on the theory of empiricism.

内容

1.Overview and Key Difference
2.什么是实证主义
3.什么是经验主义
4.实证主义与经验主义之间的关系
5.并排比较 - 实证主义与表格形式的经验主义
6.概括

实证主义是什么?

Positivism is a philosophical theory that asserts all authentic knowledge can be verified through scientific methods such as observation, experiments, and mathematical/logical proof. These scientific methods provide concrete facts as they investigate facts based on measurable, observable and empirical evidence, which are subject to principles ofreasoning和logic。因此，实证主义仅接受科学和经验可验证的事实是知识，而其他所有事实都不存在。总体而言，实证主义者认为，随着科学进步，人类面临的所有问题都将减少或消除。

However, it is also important to note that according to this theory humans first gain information from sensory experience. Then, this theory is interpreted through reason and logic. Therefore, empiricism serves as the foundation of positivism. Moreover, positivism states that valid knowledge is found only in a posterior knowledge (knowledge based on experience).

我们通常将实证主义学说的发展归因于十九世纪的法国哲学家奥古斯特·孔德（Auguste Comte）。Comte认为：“我们知识的每个分支都通过三种不同的理论条件依次通过：神学或虚构的；形而上学或抽象；和科学或积极的。”而且，最后一个条件是指实证主义，他认为这是理想的阶段。埃米尔·杜克海姆（émileDurkheim）是实证主义的另一个重要人物。

Furthermore, positivism is similar in its outlook to scientism, and there are many branches of positivism such as logical positivism, legal positivism, and sociological positivism.

什么是经验主义?

经验主义是一种说明所有知识的起源的理论是感官经验。该理论强调了五种感觉（视觉，听觉，触觉，嗅觉和味觉）在获得知识中的作用，并提出了人类只能具有后验知识的论点。此外，经验主义者拒绝先天或天生知识的想法。

Early empiricists have described the mind as a blank slate (tabula rasa) when we enter the world. Accordingly, it is only through the acquisition of experience that humans gain knowledge and information. However, this claim questions the validity of religious and ethical concepts since these are concepts we cannot directly observe or experience. John Locke, George Berkeley, John Stuart Mill, and David Hume are some leading figures in empiricism.

Moreover, empiricism is in direct contrast torationalism，其中指出知识是通过理性而不是经验而来的。

What is the Relationship Between Positivism and Empiricism?

Empiricism serves as the foundation of positivism. According to these two theories, humans first gain information from sensory experience (this is empiricism). Then, this experience is interpreted through reason and logic (this is positivism).

What is the Difference Between Positivism and Empiricism?

实证主义是一种哲学理论，它指出唯一的真实知识是科学知识，而经验主义是一种理论，该理论指出，所有知识的起源都是有意义的经验（视觉，听觉，触觉，触觉，味觉和嗅觉）。因此，这是实证主义和经验主义之间的关键区别。同样，源于上述是实证主义和经验主义之间的另一个区别。在实证主义中，可以通过科学方法和数学/逻辑证据来验证知识，而在经验主义中，经验是知识的起源。

Auguste Comte and Émile Durkheim are two prominent figures in positivism while John Locke, George Berkeley, John Stuart Mill, and David Hume are prominent empiricists.

概括– Positivism vs Empiricism

实证主义和经验主义是分析知识的起源和性质的两种主要哲学理论。实证主义和经验主义之间的关键区别在于，实证主义是一种理论，即所有真实知识都是科学知识，而经验主义是一种理论，即说明感官经验是所有知识的来源和起源。

Reference:

1.“经验主义”。经验主义 - 通过分支 /学说 - 哲学的基本知识，Available here。
2. “Positivism.” Philosophy Terms, 25 Oct. 2018,Available here。
3.“实证主义”。Wikipedia，Wikimedia基金会，2019年3月24日，Available here。

Image Courtesy:

1.“ Auguste Comte”Blonder.com（公共领域）通过Commons Wikimedia
“John Locke Crop” By Godfrey Kneller – This file has an extracted image: File:JohnLocke.png(CC BY-SA 4.0)viaCommons Wikimedia