Definition of Empiricism

1. Noun. (philosophy) the doctrine that knowledge derives from experience.

Exact synonyms: Empiricist Philosophy, Sensationalism
Specialized synonyms: British Empiricism, Experimentalism, Logical Positivism, Positivism
Category relationships: Philosophy
Generic synonyms: Philosophical Doctrine, Philosophical Theory
Derivative terms: Empiricist

2. Noun. The application of empirical methods in any art or science.
Generic synonyms: Investigating, Investigation
Derivative terms: Empiric, Empirical

3. Noun. Medical practice and advice based on observation and experience in ignorance of scientific findings.
Exact synonyms: Quackery
Generic synonyms: Medical Practice
Derivative terms: Empiric, Empirical, Quack

Definition of Empiricism

1. n. The method or practice of an empiric; pursuit of knowledge by observation and experiment.

Definition of Empiricism

1. Noun. A pursuit of knowledge purely through experience, especially by means of observation and sometimes by experimentation. ¹

2. Noun. (philosophy) A doctrine which holds that the only or, at least, the most reliable source of human knowledge is experience, especially perception by means of the physical senses. (Often contrasted with rationalism.)''Dictionary of Philosophy'', Dagobert D. Runes (ed.), Philosophical Library, 1962. ''See:'' "Empiricism" by Morris T. Keeton, p. 89 which explains 9 philosophical senses of "empiricism."''The Encyclopedia of Philosophy'', Paul Edwards (ed.), Macmillan, 1967. ''See:'' "Empiricism" by D. W. Hamlyn, vol. 2, pp. 499-505. ¹

3. Noun. (medicine dated) A practice of medicine founded on mere experience, without the aid of science or a knowledge of principles; ignorant and unscientific practice; the method or practice of an empiric. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Empiricism

1. [n -S]

Medical Definition of Empiricism

1. 1. The method or practice of an empiric; pursuit of knowledge by observation and experiment. 2. Specifically, a practice of medicine founded on mere experience, without the aid of science or a knowledge of principles; ignorant and unscientific practice; charlatanry; quackery. 3. The philosophical theory which attributes the origin of all our knowledge to experience. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998)

Lexicographical Neighbors of Empiricism

empire
empirehood
empires
empiric
empiric risk
empiric treatment
empirical
empirical data
empirical ego
empirical formula
empirical formulae
empirical formulas
empirical research
empirical rule
empirically
empiricism (current term)
empiricisms
empiricist
empiricist philosophy
empiricists
empirick
empirics
empiristic
emplace
emplaced
emplacement
emplacements
emplaces
emplacing
emplane

Literary usage of Empiricism

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. The Monist by Hegeler Institute (1913)
"The philosophy of "radical empiricism" is outlined in twelve essays collected by Ralph Barton Perry, Professor James's literary executor, in the posthumous ..."

2. A History of Philosophy, from Thales to the Present Time by Friedrich Ueberweg, Noah Porter (1876)
"According to the doctrine of empiricism, the only method of philosophical ... It is true that empiricism proceeds " dogmatically " in this more general ..."

3. The Catholic Encyclopedia: An International Work of Reference on the by Charles George Herbermann (1913)
"(2) Pure empiricism, which would erect the entire structure of ethics ... Closely allied to empiricism is Historicism, which considers history as the ..."

4. The Journal of Speculative Philosophy: Ed. by Wm. T. Harris edited by William Torrey Harris (1867)
"This depends mainly upon the conviction that between empiricism and theory ... What is pure empiricism is not science, and, vice versa, what is science is ..."

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