noun
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philosophy the doctrine that all knowledge of matters of fact derives from experience and that the mind is not furnished with a set of concepts in advance of experience Compare intuitionism rationalism
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the use of empirical methods
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medical quackery; charlatanism
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of empiricism
Explanation
Empiricism means a method of study relying on empirical evidence, which includes things you've experienced: stuff you can see and touch. Empiricism is based on facts, evidence, and research. Scholars and researchers deal in empiricism. If you believe in the Easter Bunny, the Tooth Fairy, or Santa Claus, you're out of the realm of empiricism — there are no facts to support those myths. If you want to get something practical done, or to really know what the deal is with something, empiricism is the way to go.
Vocabulary lists containing empiricism
Some Political and Philosophical -isms
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Power Suffix: -ism
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The Enlightenment
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Kim earlier said Wednesday's incident was caused by "absolute carelessness, irresponsibility and unscientific empiricism".
From BBC • May 25, 2025
In short, empiricism dominated philosophy and psychology until the second half of the 20th century, when nativist-friendly thinkers such as Noam Chomsky swung the pendulum back toward Plato.
From Scientific American • Mar. 7, 2023
“It’s potentially very healthy if these investigations are animated by an empiricism — an ability to get to the facts,” he said.
From Seattle Times • Feb. 21, 2023
Democracy, it's worth remembering, emerged as an Enlightenment ideal, and cannot be separated from other Enlightenment values, such as the importance of empiricism and the value of critical thinking.
From Salon • Jan. 9, 2023
Experimentation thus required a deeply problematic balancing act between Platonic idealism and a crude empiricism.
From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
