Positive

Mathematics and Science

• In mathematics, a number is called positive if its value is greater than zero. See negative and non-negative numbers.
• According to scientific method, if a test for a condition or hypothesis is applied, the outcome is termed positive if the condition is detected or the hypothesis confirmed (or, rather, not disproved).
• In functional analysis, a bounded linear operator is positive if its spectrum consists of positive real numbers.
• In physics, one distinguishes positive and negative electric charges.
• In optics, converging lenses are also called positive lenses.
• In behavioristic psychology, reinforcement and punishment are classified in both positive and negative forms.
• In medicine, if a test for a certain disease is applied, the outcome is termed positive if the disease is detected. A derivation of this usage is the use of the term "Positive" to refer to people with HIV and the support communities they form. See Poz.

Philosophy and Humanities

• In the humanities and social sciences, a theory is called positive if it aims to describe what is the case as opposed to what ought to be the case. See positive science.
• In philosophy, positivism is the name for theories which aim to be based on facts alone, eschewing metaphysics and religion.
• In the philosophy of law and other areas, a right or freedom may be positive. See negative and positive rights.
• In economics, a positive statement speaks only about what are predictions of behavior of economic actors and not the normative aspect what what actors should do. See positive economics.
• In linguistics, positive is the form of an adjective or adverb on which comparative and superlative are formed.
• In policy debate, affirmative is the team which affirms the resolution.