Definition of empiricism Empiricism

/ɛmpɪˈɹʌsɪˌzʌm/ - [empirusizum] - em•pir•i•cism

We found 12 definitions of empiricism from 6 different sources.

What does empiricism mean?

Noun Plural: empiricisms
empiricism - (philosophy) the doctrine that knowledge derives from experience
		empiricist philosophy, sensationalism
		philosophical doctrine, philosophical theory a doctrine accepted by adherents to a philosophy
		philosophy any personal belief about how to live or how to deal with a situation; "self-indulgence was his only philosophy"; "my father's philosophy of child-rearing was to let mother do it"
		british empiricism the predominant philosophical tradition in Great Britain since the 17th century
		experimentalism an empirical doctrine that advocates experimental principles
empiricism - the application of empirical methods in any art or science
		investigating, investigation the work of inquiring into something thoroughly and systematically
empiricism - medical practice and advice based on observation and experience in ignorance of scientific findings
		quackery
		medical practice the practice of medicine

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empiricism (Noun)
A pursuit of knowledge purely through experience, especially by means of observation and sometimes by experimentation.
empiricism (Noun)
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, D. 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.
empiricism (Noun)
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.

empiricism (n.)
The method or practice of an empiric; pursuit of knowledge by observation and experiment.
empiricism (n.)
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.
empiricism (n.)
The philosophical theory which attributes the origin of all our knowledge to experience.

In philosophy, empiricism is a theory of that believes that all knowledge comes from experience. Empiricism is one of several competing views about how we know things, part of the branch of philosophy called epistemology, or "theory of knowledge".