Which scientific model significantly influenced the development of positivism?

The correct answer is Darwin's theory of natural selection, which significantly influenced the development of positivism. Positivism is a philosophical theory asserting that only scientific knowledge derived from empirical evidence, such as experiments and observations, is of real value. Darwin's theory introduced a scientific framework for understanding biological development through observable processes, emphasizing the role of environmental factors in shaping species over time.

This concept aligned with positivist principles by advocating for conclusions based on empirical observation rather than metaphysical or supernatural explanations. The emphasis on empirical data and observable phenomena in Darwin's work paralleled the positivist rejection of speculation that could not be tested or validated through scientific methods. Consequently, Darwin's model supported the idea that complex outcomes, like human behavior and social structures, could be understood through systematic study and observation, which laid the groundwork for various scientific approaches to sociology and criminology.

In contrast, the other options represent theories and principles that do not directly align with positivism in the same way or lack a significant impact on its development. The law of independent assortment pertains to genetics and does not directly relate to the philosophical underpinnings of positivism. Dawkin's meme theory, while influential in cultural evolution discussions, is more contemporary and diverges from the foundational ideas of positiv