phenomenalism

American  

[fi-nom-uh-nl-iz-uhm] / fɪˈnɒm ə nlˌɪz əm /

noun

Philosophy.

1. the doctrine that phenomena are the only objects of knowledge or the only form of reality.

2. the view that all things, including human beings, consist simply of the aggregate of their observable, sensory qualities.

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phenomenalism British  

/ fɪˈnɒmɪnəˌlɪzəm /

noun

1. philosophy the doctrine that statements about physical objects and the external world can be analysed in terms of possible or actual experiences, and that entities, such as physical objects, are only mental constructions out of phenomenal appearances Compare idealism realism

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• phenomenalist
  noun
• phenomenalistic
  adjective
• phenomenalistically
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of phenomenalism

First recorded in 1860–65; phenomenal + -ism

Example Sentences

Phenomenalism and the need to name is another aspect of the need to control and to draw borders.

From Salon • May 9, 2022

The proper names for these opposite conceptions are of course Noumenalism and Phenomenalism.

From Science and Medieval Thought The Harveian Oration Delivered Before the Royal College of Physicians, October 18, 1900 by Allbutt, Sir Thomas Clifford