Difference between revisions of "Empiricism"
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==Origin== | ==Origin== | ||
| − | The [[English]] term "empiric" derives from the [[Greek]] word ἐμπειρία, which is cognate with and [[translates]] to the [[Latin]] ''experientia'', from which we derive the word "[[experience]]" and the related "[[experiment]]". The term was used of the [ | + | The [[English]] term "empiric" derives from the [[Greek]] word ἐμπειρία, which is cognate with and [[translates]] to the [[Latin]] ''experientia'', from which we derive the word "[[experience]]" and the related "[[experiment]]". The term was used of the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Empiric_school Empiric school] of ancient Greek medical practitioners, who [[rejected]] the [[doctrines]] of the ([https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dogmatic_school Dogmatic school]), preferring to rely on the [[observation]] of [[phenomena]]. |
| − | *[ | + | *[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/17th_century 1657] |
==Definitions== | ==Definitions== | ||
*1a : a former [[school]] of [[medical]] [[practice]] founded on [[experience]] without the aid of [[science]] or [[theory]] | *1a : a former [[school]] of [[medical]] [[practice]] founded on [[experience]] without the aid of [[science]] or [[theory]] | ||
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*3: a [[theory]] that all [[knowledge]] originates in [[experience]] | *3: a [[theory]] that all [[knowledge]] originates in [[experience]] | ||
==Description== | ==Description== | ||
| − | '''Empiricism''' is a [[theory]] of [[knowledge]] that asserts that knowledge comes only or primarily via [[sensory]] [[experience]]. One of several views of [[epistemology]], the study of human [[knowledge]], along with [[rationalism]], [[idealism]] and [ | + | '''Empiricism''' is a [[theory]] of [[knowledge]] that asserts that knowledge comes only or primarily via [[sensory]] [[experience]]. One of several views of [[epistemology]], the study of human [[knowledge]], along with [[rationalism]], [[idealism]] and [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Historicism historicism], empiricism emphasizes the role of [[experience]] and [[evidence]], especially [[sensory]] [[perception]], in the formation of [[ideas]], over the notion of innate [[ideas]] or [[traditions]]. |
| − | Empiricism in the [ | + | Empiricism in the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philosophy_of_science philosophy of science] emphasizes [[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 resting solely on [[a priori]] reasoning, [[intuition]], or [[revelation]]. |
A central [[concept]] in [[science]] and the [[scientific method]] is that it must be empirically based on the [[evidence]] of the [[senses]]. Both natural and [[social sciences]] use working [[hypotheses]] that are testable by [[observation]] and [[experiment]]. The term semi-empirical is sometimes used to describe [[theoretical]] methods that make use of basic [[axioms]], established scientific laws, and previous experimental results in order to [[engage]] in reasoned model building and theoretical [[inquiry]]. | A central [[concept]] in [[science]] and the [[scientific method]] is that it must be empirically based on the [[evidence]] of the [[senses]]. Both natural and [[social sciences]] use working [[hypotheses]] that are testable by [[observation]] and [[experiment]]. The term semi-empirical is sometimes used to describe [[theoretical]] methods that make use of basic [[axioms]], established scientific laws, and previous experimental results in order to [[engage]] in reasoned model building and theoretical [[inquiry]]. | ||
| − | Philosophical empiricists hold no [[knowledge]] to be properly inferred or deduced unless it is derived from one's [[sense]]-based [[experience]]. This view is commonly [[contrasted]] with [[rationalism]], which asserts that [[knowledge]] may be derived from reason independently of the [[senses]]. For example [ | + | Philosophical empiricists hold no [[knowledge]] to be properly inferred or deduced unless it is derived from one's [[sense]]-based [[experience]]. This view is commonly [[contrasted]] with [[rationalism]], which asserts that [[knowledge]] may be derived from reason independently of the [[senses]]. For example [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Locke John Locke] held that some [[knowledge]] (e.g. knowledge of [[God]]'s [[existence]]) could be arrived at through [[intuition]] and reasoning alone. Similarly [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Boyle Robert Boyle], a prominent advocate of the [[experimental]] [[method]], held that we have innate [[ideas]]. The main continental rationalists ([https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Descartes Descartes], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spinoza Spinoza], and [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leibniz Leibniz]) were also advocates of the empirical "scientific method". [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Empiricism] |
[[Category: Philosophy]] | [[Category: Philosophy]] | ||
Latest revision as of 00:20, 13 December 2020
Origin
The English term "empiric" derives from the Greek word ἐμπειρία, which is cognate with and translates to the Latin experientia, from which we derive the word "experience" and the related "experiment". The term was used of the Empiric school of ancient Greek medical practitioners, who rejected the doctrines of the (Dogmatic school), preferring to rely on the observation of phenomena.
Definitions
- b : quackery, charlatanry
- 2a : the practice of relying on observation and experiment especially in the natural sciences
- b : a tenet arrived at empirically
- 3: a theory that all knowledge originates in experience
Description
Empiricism is a theory of knowledge that asserts that knowledge comes only or primarily via sensory experience. One of several views of epistemology, the study of human knowledge, along with rationalism, idealism and historicism, empiricism emphasizes the role of experience and evidence, especially sensory perception, in the formation of ideas, over the notion of innate ideas or traditions.
Empiricism in the philosophy of science emphasizes 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 resting solely on a priori reasoning, intuition, or revelation.
A central concept in science and the scientific method is that it must be empirically based on the evidence of the senses. Both natural and social sciences use working hypotheses that are testable by observation and experiment. The term semi-empirical is sometimes used to describe theoretical methods that make use of basic axioms, established scientific laws, and previous experimental results in order to engage in reasoned model building and theoretical inquiry.
Philosophical empiricists hold no knowledge to be properly inferred or deduced unless it is derived from one's sense-based experience. This view is commonly contrasted with rationalism, which asserts that knowledge may be derived from reason independently of the senses. For example John Locke held that some knowledge (e.g. knowledge of God's existence) could be arrived at through intuition and reasoning alone. Similarly Robert Boyle, a prominent advocate of the experimental method, held that we have innate ideas. The main continental rationalists (Descartes, Spinoza, and Leibniz) were also advocates of the empirical "scientific method". [1]
