The belief or practice that knowledge should come mainly from sensory experience, observation, and experiment. It often contrasts with relying mostly on pure reason or theory.
From 'empiric' (a doctor who relies on experience) plus the noun suffix '-ism.' 'Empiric' comes from Greek 'empeirikos' (experienced), from 'empeiria' (experience). Philosophers later used 'empiricism' to name a whole approach to knowledge.
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