phenomenalism

[ fi-nom-uh-nl-iz-uh m ]

/ fɪˈnɒm ə nlˌɪz əm /

noun Philosophy.

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

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

Nearby words

phenolsulfonephthalein, phenolsulfonphthalein, phenom, phenomena, phenomenal, phenomenalism, phenomenalize, phenomenology, phenomenon, phenoplast, phenosafranine

Origin of phenomenalism

First recorded in 1860–65; phenomenal + -ism

Related forms

phe·nom·e·nal·ist, nounphe·nom·e·nal·is·tic, adjectivephe·nom·e·nal·is·ti·cal·ly, adverb

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for phenomenalism

The proper names for these opposite conceptions are of course Noumenalism and Phenomenalism.
Science and Medieval Thought|Sir Thomas Clifford Allbutt
In so far as subjectivism reduces reality to states of knowledge, such as perceptions or ideas, it is phenomenalism.
The Approach to Philosophy|Ralph Barton Perry
In other words, is Kants position subjectivism or phenomenalism?
A Commentary to Kant's 'Critique of Pure Reason'|Norman Kemp Smith
Similarly a phenomenalism, like that of Hume, takes immediate presence to sense as the norm of being and knowledge.
The Approach to Philosophy|Ralph Barton Perry

But he differs both from Malebranche and from Hume in that he develops his phenomenalism on rationalist lines.
A Commentary to Kant's 'Critique of Pure Reason'|Norman Kemp Smith

British Dictionary definitions for phenomenalism

phenomenalism

/ (fɪˈnɒmɪnəˌlɪzəm) /

noun

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 appearancesCompare idealism (def. 3), realism (def. 6)

Derived Forms

phenomenalist, noun, adjectivephenomenalistically, adverb

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012