empiricism

[ em-pir-uh-siz-uhm ]

noun

1. empirical method or practice.
2. Philosophy. the doctrine that all knowledge is derived from sense experience. Compare rationalism ( def 2 ).
3. undue reliance upon experience, as in medicine; quackery.
4. an empirical conclusion.

empiricism

/ ɛmˈpɪrɪˌsɪzəm /

noun

1. See rationalism, intuitionism
   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

Derived Forms

• emˈpiricist, nounadjective

Other Words From

• em·piri·cist noun adjective
• anti·em·piri·cism noun
• anti·em·piri·cist noun adjective
• nonem·piri·cism noun
• proem·piri·cism noun adjective
• proem·piri·cist noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of empiricism¹

First recorded in 1650–60; empiric + -ism

Example Sentences

Unlike the approaches favored by other Justices, Breyer’s brand of well-tempered empiricism forced him to be candid about what informed his judgment.

From Time

Roosevelt, the Emperor of Empiricism, never learned the lesson Keynes tried to teach.

From The Daily Beast

If President-elect Obama truly does forecast a new Age of Empiricism, then Larry is the best choice for Treasury.

From The Daily Beast

Throughout civilized Europe a sort of carnival of empiricism prevailed.

From Project Gutenberg

Aristotle, by long odds the greatest naturalist of antiquity, laid the first philosophic basis for empiricism.

From Project Gutenberg

To the vocal scientist, "wearing the voice into place" represents the depth of empiricism.

From Project Gutenberg

This change in the character of vocal instruction will not be in any sense a return to empiricism.

From Project Gutenberg

The term empiricism is, however, now applied to any philosophical system which finds all its material in experience.

From Project Gutenberg