Empiricism

Empiricism is a philosophical theory that knowledge comes primarily from sensory experience. It is a fundamental part of the scientific method that all hypotheses and theories must be tested against observations of the natural world, rather than purely through argument or intuition.

Definition

Empiricism is the philosophical stance according to which the senses are the ultimate source of human knowledge. It stands in contrast to rationalism, according to which reason is the source of knowledge. In philosophy, empiricism is a theory that states that knowledge comes only or primarily from sensory experience.

History

The concept of empiricism has been explored since ancient times, but it was most explicitly formulated by John Locke, George Berkeley, and David Hume in the 17th and 18th century. This philosophical approach is a central part of the British Empiricism tradition, which includes the works of Francis Bacon, Thomas Hobbes, and Joseph Butler.

Empiricism in Science

In the field of science, empiricism emphasizes those aspects of scientific knowledge that are closely related to evidence, especially as discovered in experiments. It is a fundamental part of the scientific method that all hypotheses and theories must be tested against observations of the natural world, rather than purely through argument or intuition.

Criticisms

Despite its widespread acceptance in the scientific community, empiricism has been criticized by various philosophers. Some argue that our senses can deceive us, and that reason and logic are necessary to interpret our sensory experiences. Others argue that there are certain concepts, such as mathematical and logical truths, that cannot be explained by sensory experience alone.

See Also

• Rationalism
• Scientific Method
• Philosophy of Science
• Epistemology

References

Empiricism Resources
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