Is positivism extreme empiricism? Why? How? My answer: Yes because positivism holds that the qualitative does not exist but only the quantitative does. As part of the qualitative all living beings have survival instincts at the general, group and individual level. Thus positivism(also known as scientism) eliminates survival instincts. Sources: https://www.google.com/gasearch?q=scientism%20definition&tbm=&source=sh/x/gs/m2/5