Empiricism
Empiricism is a theory of knowledge that holds that knowledge (either exclusively or primarily) comes from sensory experience, and that discovery is accomplished through experimentation. Assisted sensory experience is acceptable in empiricism and relies on there being no observer effect.
In order to compete with religion for the favor of the powers that be, empiricism had to promise a vision of the future more attractive than what religion offered. So we have “progress.”
“Experience seems to most of us to lead to conclusions, but empiricism has sworn never to draw them.” George Santayana (1863-1952)
“Even as empiricism is winning the mind, transcendentalism continues to win the heart.” Edward O. Wilson
Experimentation for Knowledge
Today we are talking about the metaphysics of empiricism. I tend to range rather far afield in classes, so I… Read More
Branch of Epistemology
The principles guiding pursuit of empirical knowledge are themselves not truly empirical. There has to be a subjective handle put… Read More
Process Leading to Empiricism
Shall we begin the critique? I had a hard time keeping away from it. We see in the history of… Read More
Progress
In order to compete with religion for the favor of the powers that be, empiricism had to promise a vision… Read More
Delete Belief?
The world of the subjective hasn’t gone away. If empiricism was the genuine truth and full basis of knowledge, then… Read More
Humanity Hopping
There is a new study about babies and morality and knowing good from not good. Ah indeed. Yes, babies have… Read More
Cultivate the Subjective
The subjective is not a character defect, no more than a fishes inability to breath air is a character defect.… Read More