empiricism

American  

[em-pir-uh-siz-uhm] / ɛmˈpɪr əˌsɪz əm /

noun

1. empirical method or practice.

2. Philosophy.  the doctrine that all knowledge is derived from sense experience.

3. undue reliance upon experience, as in medicine; quackery.

4. an empirical conclusion.

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empiricism British  

/ ɛmˈpɪrɪˌsɪzəm /

noun

1. 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

2. the use of empirical methods

3. medical quackery; charlatanism

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Other Word Forms

• antiempiricism noun
• antiempiricist noun
• empiricist noun
• nonempiricism noun
• proempiricism noun
• proempiricist noun

Etymology

Origin of empiricism

First recorded in 1650–60; empiric + -ism

Example Sentences

It was the result of "absolute carelessness, irresponsibility and unscientific empiricism", he said.

From BBC

Kim earlier said Wednesday's incident was caused by "absolute carelessness, irresponsibility and unscientific empiricism".

From BBC

Kim said on Thursday the accident was caused by "absolute carelessness, irresponsibility and unscientific empiricism".

From BBC

Kim said on Thursday that the accident was caused by "absolute carelessness, irresponsibility and unscientific empiricism".

From BBC

Kim attributed Thursday's accident, which took place at a shipyard in the eastern port city of Chongjin, to "absolute carelessness, irresponsibility and unscientific empiricism".

From BBC