Empiricism: Characteristics, Thinkers, and Impact
Empiricism and its characteristics are derived from experience in two possible senses of the word “experience”:
- We understand experience as the accumulation of life experiences a person can gather during their lifetime.
- We understand experience as information received through the senses. Sensory is the related adjective.
Empiricism is a theory of knowledge that holds that experience is the only source of knowledge. This understanding is known as psychological empiricism. Furthermore, it defends that the only criterion for certainty is empirical evidence (verifiable through the senses). Epistemological sensationalism is another form that defends that the only reality is what we grasp through the senses, known as metaphysical empiricism.
Examples of empiricists include the Sophists and Aristotle.
Characteristics of the English Empiricist Current
This current of thought occurred in 17th and 18th century England, running parallel to and often opposing continental rationalism. It encompasses psychological and epistemological empiricism. Key representatives include Locke, Berkeley, and Hume (who articulated the fundamental thesis).
General Characteristics of English Empiricism:
- Knowledge originates solely from the senses.
- The unique criterion of certainty lies in empirical evidence.
- Mental contents are not innate but acquired, denying the existence of innate ideas. All ideas stem from experience.
- Human knowledge cannot exceed the limits of our experience, both internal and external.
- Denial of metaphysics.
- Emphasis on the practical dimension of knowledge, rejecting its universal and necessary character. “We do not seek truth, but solutions to our problems.”
- Denial of universal concepts (nominalism). Universal concepts are merely words, not realities. We apply the same name to things that are similar but distinct. This is a denial of essences.
The Challenge to the Scientific Revolution
Empiricists critically assess the implications of the scientific revolution.
- The inductive method, as proposed by empiricists, is inspired by Galileo Galilei, but they primarily focus on induction and experimentation.
David Hume: The Culmination of Empiricism
Hume was an empiricist philosopher who represents the maturity of empiricism. He builds upon the ideas of his empiricist predecessors, particularly Locke and Berkeley.
Important Works:
- A Treatise of Human Nature (often referred to as “The Treatise”): Hume aims to develop a new science that serves as the foundation for all other sciences. He believes that all sciences have a direct relationship with humanity. His purpose is to create a new science concerning humanity that will serve as the foundation for other sciences. Therefore, it is important to understand humanity. He proposes following the method applied by Newton in physics. The pillars of this method are observation and experimentation. Hume acknowledges that he cannot fully achieve what he has proposed, leading to some pessimism. For example, he cannot directly observe knowledge. He believes he has been too ambitious. He abandons “The Treatise” without fulfilling his initial goals, and his work is initially received with indifference by intellectuals.
- An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding (“The Enquiry”): This is a shorter and more modest work. Hume concludes that our possibilities of knowledge are very limited. He abandons the project of a science of man and the intention of using Newton’s method.