Whatsoever vs. at all

[nyggus]

It seems to me that whatsoever/whatever and at all may be used with the same meaning - is that true?

Another thing is, from the dictionaries it's quite clear the former is to be used with negative statements, but I found something like that:
"The more seriously the scientific approach is taken, the more caution is needed in making any statement whatsoever, even one which may appear at first to be self-evident". No matter how much I want to find the negativity in the corresponding clause, I simply don't see it. So, can the whatsoever be used also with non-negative statements?

Thanks,
Nyggus

[Anglika]

Whatsoever you think, I like you.

It has a connotation of disagreement rather than negativity.

[fiona bramble]

It seems to me that whatsoever/whatever and at all may be used with the same meaning - is that true?

Another thing is, from the dictionaries it's quite clear the former is to be used with negative statements, but I found something like that:
"The more seriously the scientific approach is taken, the more caution is needed in making any statement whatsoever, even one which may appear at first to be self-evident". No matter how much I want to find the negativity in the corresponding clause, I simply don't see it. So, can the whatsoever be used also with non-negative statements?

Thanks,
Nyggus

My feeling is that "whatsoever" can also mean "of any type or kind"
F

[nyggus]

It seems to me that whatsoever/whatever and at all may be used with the same meaning - is that true?

And what about the above question? CALD gives:
--
whatsoever (ALSO whatever)
used after a negative phrase to add emphasis to the idea that is being expressed:
He has no respect for authority whatsoever.
--

Couldn't at all be used here?

Thanks,
Nyggus

[Anglika]

You can, but it has less impact.