History glossary
Empiricism
the idea that knowledge should be based on observation, evidence, and experience.
- Category
- Philosophical method
What it means
Empiricism became central to modern science because it emphasized testing ideas against evidence from the world. During the Scientific Revolution, observation and experiment became increasingly important alongside mathematics and reason.
Related terms
Stories using this term
The Scientific Revolution
The Scientific Revolution transformed how humans understand the world, replacing tradition with observation, experimentation and mathematical laws that still shape modern science.
The Renaissance
From Petrarch to printing, from Florence to northern Europe, the Renaissance transformed learning, art, politics, religion, and science while linking medieval inheritance to modern change.
