empiricism
(ɛmˈpɪrɪsɪz(ə)m)
[f. empiric + -ism.]
The method or practice of an empiric.
1. Med. Practice founded upon experiment and observation; ignorant and unscientific practice; quackery. Also transf.
| 1657 G. Starkey Helmont's Vind. 245 The Chymistry of the Galenical Tribe is a ridiculous..and..dangerous Empericism. 1756 C. Lucas Ess. Waters II. 47 The art became debased with empiricism. 1791 Mackintosh Vind. Gall. Wks. 1846 III. 148 ‘The practical claim of impeachment’..is the most sorry juggle of political empiricism. 1880 Sir J. Fayrer in Nature XXI. 231 The empiricism of to-day is more scientific than it was in former days. |
2. a. The use of empirical methods in any art or science. b. Philos. The doctrine which regards experience as the only source of knowledge.
| 1796 F. A. Nitsch Kant's Princ. concerning Man 218 The comfortless attacks of Fatalism, Scepticism, and Empiricism. 1798 A. F. M. Willich Elem. Crit. Philos. 7 A slavish dependence upon the Empiricism of Locke. 1803 Edin. Rev. I. 257 Made acquainted with the division of empiricism and rationalism. 1817 Jas. Mill Brit. India I. ii. ix. 399 Mere observation and empiricism, not even the commencement of science. 1872 W. Minto Eng. Lit. ii. viii. 547 The empiricism popularly associated with the name of Locke. 1881 Huxley in Nature No. 615. 343 All true science begins with empiricism. |
3. concr. A conclusion arrived at on empirical grounds.
| 1846 Mill Logic iii. xiii. §5 The instances of new theories agreeing with..old empiricisms, are innumerable. |