Empiricism, in a nutshell, is the theory that all knowledge comes from experience, specifically through sensory observations and experiments. It contrasts with rationalism, which emphasizes reason and innate ideas as sources of knowledge. Empiricists believe that the mind begins as a blank slate and knowledge is built through interactions with the world. 1
Here’s a more detailed explanation:
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Experience as the Foundation: Empiricists argue that the primary source of knowledge is not inherent ideas or reasoning but rather what we learn through our senses (sight, sound, touch, etc.) and experimentation. 1, 2
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Contrast with Rationalism: Rationalism, on the other hand, posits that some knowledge is innate, meaning we are born with certain ideas or concepts. 1, 2
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Examples in Science: Empiricism is central to the scientific method, where knowledge is gained through observation, experimentation, and analysis of data. 2, 4, 5
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Empirical Knowledge: This refers to knowledge gained through experience and experimentation, as opposed to theoretical knowledge or assumptions. 2, 7
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Key Figures: John Locke, George Berkeley, and David Hume were influential empiricists in the 17th and 18th centuries. 2
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In Agile and Scrum: In project management methodologies like Agile and Scrum, empiricism emphasizes learning through experience and adapting projects based on feedback and results. 8
References
2. American Psychological Association Dictionary
5. A Critical Analysis of Empiricism - F. M. Anayet Hossain