- Etymology
- From Greek ἐμπειρία (empeiria) "experience" + -ism. Doctrine of experience.
- Stem empir-
- From Greek ἐμπειρία (empeiria). "Experience."
- Suffix -ism
- Forming nouns. "Doctrine, theory, or practice of."
- Origin
- J. Locke. 17th century.
- Main proponent(s)
- J. Locke
- Structural characteristic
- Accumulation of observation data
- Meaning
- All knowledge is obtained through sensory experience; the mind is originally a blank slate (tabula rasa).
- Earliest use
- Locke. 17th century.
- Definition
- The doctrine that all knowledge is obtained through sensory experience; the mind is originally a blank slate (tabula rasa). Accumulation of observation data.