______ is an epistemological position that advocates the application of the methods of natural sciences to the study of social reality and beyond.

Positivism is an epistemological position that advocates the application of the methods of the natural sciences to the study of social reality.Important Points

• Positivism is a philosophical and methodological approach that originated in the 19th century and focuses on empirical and scientific methods to study social and natural phenomena.
• It holds the belief that knowledge and truth can only be obtained through scientific observation and experimentation, and that metaphysical and supernatural explanations are not valid sources of knowledge.
• Positivism played a significant role in shaping modern social sciences, such as sociology, psychology, and economics, and continues to influence scientific inquiry and research methods in various fields.

Additional Information

• Positivism was developed and popularized by Auguste Comte, a French philosopher, and sociologist, in the early 19th century.
• Comte is considered the "father of sociology" and is credited with coining the term "sociology" to describe the scientific study of society. He viewed positivism as a new approach to knowledge that could replace earlier metaphysical and theological approaches.
• Interpretivism is an approach to social science that opposes the positivism of natural science. Qualitative research, a method of inquiry in social science and related disciplines.
• Social constructionism is a theory in sociology, social ontology, and communication theory which proposes that certain ideas about physical reality arise from collaborative consensus, instead of pure observation of said reality.