A Mexican positivist: Gabino Barreda, his life and work

Abstract

Gabino Barreda, educator, physician, and Mexian positivist, helped introduce the scientific method to his war-torn land. The world of this pioneer was indeed tempestuous. During most of his lifetime, from 1818 to 1881, the very word, Mexico, invoked a vision of chaos and anarchy. Barreda, therefore, wanted to form future leaders who would co-operate, accept social responsibility, and stress law and order. The purpose for writing this biography of Gabino Barreda is twofold. First, no definitive Spanish or English biography of this Mexican positivist has ever been produced. And while by no means conclusive, this present work is nevertheless the most comprehensive account of Barreda's life and work that has yet been compiled. Second, inasmuch as Barreda's ideas resembled dominant cultural orientations in American and since Mexico has achieved an exemplary position among Latin American nations, an effort was made to ascertain how Barreda's positivism influenced Mexican culture. This biography is an account of his struggle.