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Empiricism

Empiricism in philosophy postulates that all knowledge derives from experience. The doctrine of empiricism was first formulated by John Locke in the 17th century, though the idea originated among Greek physicians and was developed in the thought of Aristotle, Thomas Aquinas and Francis Bacon as well as more modern philosophers.

Historically, empiricism is contrasted with rationalism, which asserts that whole classifications of knowledge can arise from reason alone, independently of sensory perceptions and direct experience.

The scientific method relies strongly on empiricism, making theory that may be predicated on a rationalistic methodology subject to confirmations only by means of evidence that is observable by senses or instruments that magnify senses. Thus modern scientific methodology is a combination of rationalism and empiricism, making use of both inductive reasoning and deductive reasoning to formulate its governing theoretics. This is sometimes called pragmatism.

Web Resources On Empiricism

Rationalism vs. Empiricism
Empiricism in Wikipedia
Empiricism from Bartleby

Book Resources On Empiricism

The Rise of Western Rationalism: Max Weber's Developmental History by Wolfgang Schluchter
Anthology of Atheism and Rationalism by Gordon Stein
Critical Rationalism: A Restatement and Defense by David Miller

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