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

• phenomenalist
  noun
• phenomenalistic
  adjective
• phenomenalistically
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of phenomenalism

First recorded in 1860–65; phenomenal + -ism

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

phenomenalism

It was about this time also that he began his study of Berkeley and Coleridge, and deserted his early phenomenalism for the conception of a spiritual will as the universal cause.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 11, Slice 1 "Franciscans" to "French Language" by Various

Phenom′enalism, the philosophical doctrine that the phenomenal and the real are identical—that phenomena are the only realities—also Externalism; Phenom′enalist, one who believes in phenomenalism; Phenomenal′ity, the character of being phenomenal.—adv.

From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 3 of 4: N-R) by Various

"Every form of phenomenalism," asseverated a learned and energetic old gentleman, who for many years occupied a chair in one of our leading institutions of learning, "necessarily leads to atheism."

From An Introduction to Philosophy by Fullerton, George Stuart

This principle when expressed as an epistemological or metaphysical generalization, is called phenomenalism.

From The Approach to Philosophy by Perry, Ralph Barton

For precisely as in the case of phenomenalism its dialectical principle threatens to be self-destructive.

From The Approach to Philosophy by Perry, Ralph Barton