Term for Identification: Empiricists

Question

Examlex · Accepted Answer

The Answer is Empiricists are philosophers who emphasize the role of experience and evidence, especially sensory perception, in the formation of ideas, over the notion of innate ideas or traditions. They argue that knowledge comes primarily from sensory experience. This philosophical approach is a fundamental aspect of the scientific method, where hypotheses are formed and tested against observations of the natural world.

The term "empiricism" has its roots in the Greek word "empeiria," meaning "experience." Empiricism is often contrasted with rationalism, which holds that knowledge can be gained through the use of reason and innate knowledge, without the need for sensory experience.

Some of the most notable empiricists in the history of philosophy include John Locke, George Berkeley, and David Hume. These thinkers have contributed significantly to the development of empiricism:

- John Locke proposed the idea of the mind as a "tabula rasa" or blank slate, arguing that individuals are born without innate ideas and that knowledge is instead determined only by experience derived from sense perception.
- George Berkeley argued that the only things that exist are perceptions and that the material world is simply a collection of ideas perceived by the mind.
- David Hume took empiricism to its logical conclusions, questioning the existence of causal relationships beyond what we can perceive with our senses.

Empiricism has played a crucial role in the development of modern science by promoting the idea that observation and experiment are the best ways to understand the world. It has also influenced other areas of knowledge, including psychology, economics, and history, where empirical evidence is a foundational aspect of the study.

Term for Identification: Empiricists

Definitions: