empiricism
2 synonyms and 1 antonym for empiricism, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — The philosophical view that sense experience is our best guide to what we can know.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
quackery
sensationalism
Antonyms
How to use empiricism
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
a doctrine of empiricism
scientific empiricism
empiricism versus rationalism
rely on empiricism
The word is mostly used in academic and philosophical contexts rather than everyday speech.
Etymology
Empiricism is formed from the word empiric, meaning someone who relies on practical experience, joined with the suffix -ism.
Full origin of empiricism →Frequently asked questions
What does empiricism mean in philosophy?
It is the view that experience and sensory perception are the main or most trustworthy source of knowledge.
How does empiricism differ from rationalism?
Empiricism stresses experience and observation, while rationalism stresses reason as the main source of knowledge.
Is empiricism only used in philosophy?
No, it is also used more broadly to describe seeking knowledge through observation and experimentation, as in scientific research.
