POSITIVISM
Definition
Positivism, system of philosophy based on experience and empirical knowledge of natural phenomena, in which metaphysics and theology are regarded as inadequate and imperfect systems of knowledge.
Linguistically, it also refers to being positive, which means optimistic, hopeful, certain and a good attitude in one’s own behavior.
Being Positive is encouraged in Islam. Hopelessness is not tolerated in Islam.
Historical Background
The doctrine was first called positivism by the 19th-century French mathematician and philosopher Auguste Comte (1798–1857), but some of the positivist concepts may be traced to the British philosopher David Hume, the French philosopher Duc de Saint-Simon, and the German philosopher Immanuel Kant.
Comte chose the word positivism on the ground that it indicated the “reality” and “constructive tendency” that he claimed for the theoretical aspect of the doctrine.
He was, in the main, interested in a reorganization of social life for the good of humanity through scientific knowledge, and thus control of natural forces.
In its basic ideological stance, Positivism is thus worldly, secular, antitheological, and antimetaphysical.
Strict adherence to the testimony of observation and experience is the all-important imperative of the Positivists.
This attitude is reflected also in their contributions to ethics and moral philosophy, and most Positivists have been Utilitarians to the extent that something like “the greatest happiness for the greatest number of people” was their ethical maxim.
It is notable, in this connection, that Auguste Comte was the founder of a short-lived religion, in which the object of worship was not the deity of the monotheistic faiths but humanity.
He once said:
“Science has dismissed the Father of nature and the universe from his post, consigning him to oblivion, and while thanking him for his temporary services, it has escorted him back to the frontiers of his greatness.”
A number of Comte's disciples refused, however, to accept this religious development of his philosophy, because it seemed to contradict the original positivist philosophy.
Many of Comte's doctrines were later adapted and developed by the British social philosophers John Stuart Mill and Herbert Spencer and by the Austrian philosopher and physicist Ernst Mach.
In the Muslim world, it has been introduced and popularized by a Lebanese Egyptian Doctor and author Shibili Shumayyil (1860-1917).
In the 19th and 20th Century, a Muslim philosopher Zaki Nagib Mahmud, who has expounded logical positivism and linguistic analysis in a series of works.
Basic Differences with Islam
POSITIVISM
Does not believe in God
ISLAM
Belief in God is the foundation
God has resigned from running the affairs of the world.
God controls the affairs of the universe under His own Command.
Does not believe in the metaphysical world
Belief in Akhirah and Qiyamah is part and parcel of Islam.
Human being is better qualified to make laws of his own choice and control the nature
Humans are under the commands of Allah and the Nature follows the commands and the Laws of Allah as prescribed.
Knowledge is only based on experiment and observation
Not everything in the universe could be subjected to experiment and observation.
Humanity is the object of worship
Allah alone could be worshipped. No one should worship anyone beside/apart from Allah.
Natural Phenomena should be explained based on experiment and personal observation
The Nature is the creation of Allah, made it suitable, well-designed and wonderfully planned for His Creatures especially for humans.
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