To determine if \( 8 - (-5) \) is positive or negative, we first simplify the expression.
Subtracting a negative number is the same as adding the positive version of that number:
\[ 8 - (-5) = 8 + 5 = 13 \]
Since \( 13 \) is greater than zero, it is positive.
Thus, \( 8 - (-5) \) is positive.