LearnEmpiricism
Empiricism
Learning path · 9 steps

The Empiricist Path

Empiricism holds that all genuine knowledge derives from sensory experience rather than reason alone. Locke argued that the mind begins as a blank slate; Hume traced all ideas back to impressions; Berkeley concluded that to be is to be perceived. The empiricist tradition set the terms for modern epistemology and philosophy of science.

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Epistemology
Concept · 4 minUp next
Impressions and Ideas
David Hume
2
Epistemology
Concept · 5 min
The Cash-Value of Ideas
William James
3
Epistemology
Concept · 5 min
Appearance and Reality
Bertrand Russell
4
Epistemology
Concept · 4 min
Sensation and Reflection
John Locke
5
Metaphysics
Concept · 5 min
Necessary Connection
David Hume
6
Philosophy of Religion
Concept · 5 min
The Design Argument Critiqued
David Hume
7
An Essay Concerning Human Understanding
Full text · 4 chapters
An Essay Concerning Human Understanding
John Locke
8
An Essay Towards a New Theory of Vision
Full text · 4 chapters
An Essay Towards a New Theory of Vision
George Berkeley
9
A Treatise Concerning the Principles of Human Knowledge
Full text · 3 chapters
A Treatise Concerning the Principles of Human Knowledge
George Berkeley
Further reading

More from Empiricism, beyond the core path.

Three Dialogues Between Hylas and Philonous
Three Dialogues Between Hylas and Philonous
George Berkeley · 3 chapters
An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding
An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding
David Hume · 12 chapters
The Will to Believe
The Will to Believe
William James · 10 chapters
The Varieties of Religious Experience
The Varieties of Religious Experience
William James · 14 chapters
5 min
The Problem of Evil
David Hume
4 min
Belief and Probability
David Hume
5 min
Liberty and Necessity
David Hume
5 min
The Bundle Theory of the Self
David Hume
5 min
The Problem of Induction
David Hume
5 min
Natural Rights and the State of Nature
John Locke
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