In the 19th century, two important philosophical currents emerged that significantly influenced the development of psychology and other related disciplines: positivism and logical empiricism. These philosophical currents focused on the importance of observation and empirical evidence in the construction of knowledge, as well as the search for a scientific basis for understanding the world. In this article, we will explore in depth positivism and logical empiricism in the context of the 19th century and their impact on psychology and other areas of knowledge.
The Positivism in the 19th century
Positivism was a philosophical current developed by the French thinker Auguste Comte in the 19th century. Comte maintained that scientific knowledge was the only legitimate form of knowledge and that observation and empirical experience were fundamental to understanding the world. According to positivism, only that which could be verified through observation or experiment should be considered valid knowledge.
In the context of the 19th century, positivism became an influential philosophy that spread to multiple disciplines, including psychology. Positivists promoted a scientific approach to understanding the mind and human behavior, seeking to apply the methods and principles of the natural sciences to psychology. This scientific orientation allowed the development of psychology as an independent discipline based on empirical observation.
The Impact of Positivism on Psychology
Positivism had a significant impact on psychology of the 19th century, promoting empirical research and the application of rigorous scientific methods. Positivists advocated direct observation and objective measurement of psychological phenomena, moving away from the metaphysical speculations and abstract theories that dominated previous philosophical thought.
One of the main legacies of positivism in psychology was the founding of experimental psychology as a formal field of study. Wilhelm Wundt, considered the father of experimental psychology, established the first psychology laboratory at the University of Leipzig in 1879. Inspired by positivist principles, Wundt advocated the application of scientific methods to study the mind and human behavior objectively. and systematic.
In addition to experimental psychology, positivism influenced the development of other branches of psychology, such as physiological psychology, comparative psychology and social psychology. These subdisciplines adopted scientific approaches to investigate different aspects of human experience, contributing to the diversification and advancement of psychology as a science.
Logical Empiricism in the 19th century
Empiricism Logical, also known as logical positivism or neopositivism, was another relevant philosophical current in the 19th century that was inspired by Comte's original positivism but incorporating elements of logic and the philosophy of language. Logical empiricists maintained that the basis of knowledge is sensory experience and that statements must be empirically verifiable or tautological to be considered meaningful.
One of the key aspects of logical empiricism was its emphasis on clarity and precision of the language used in scientific discourse. Logical empiricists argued that many philosophical controversies arose due to semantic confusions and ambiguities in language, and that the elimination of such ambiguities was essential for clear and rigorous thinking.
The Influence of Logical Empiricism on Psychology
Although logical empiricism was developed mainly in the field of philosophy, its influence extended to psychology and other scientific disciplines. The principles of clarity and verifiability proposed by logical empiricists had repercussions on the way psychological research was conceived and practiced.
In psychology, logical empiricism was reflected in the demand for precision in formulation of hypotheses and in the application of rigorous methods of data collection and analysis. Psychologists strove to design clear and well-defined experiments, use objective measures, and replicate results to ensure the reliability and validity of their research, following the principles of verifiability proposed by logical empiricists.
In addition, The influence of logical empiricism was manifested in the criticism of psychological theories that lacked a solid empirical foundation or that could not be verified by direct observation. Psychologists were urged to base their claims on empirical evidence and to avoid metaphysical speculation or abstract concepts that could not be subjected to scientific scrutiny.
Conclusions
In the 19th century, both the Positivism and logical empiricism played a fundamental role in the configuration of psychology as a scientific discipline. These philosophical currents promoted the importance of observation, experimentation and verifiability in the construction of knowledge, laying the foundations for the development of experimental psychology and the scientific approach in the study of the mind and human behavior.
The legacy of positivism and logical empiricism endures in contemporary psychology, where the application of scientific methods and the search for empirical evidence continue to be fundamental pillars of psychological research. The influence of these philosophical currents on psychology reflects the continued relevance of their principles and values in the understanding and explanation of psychological phenomena today.