Throughout development of humanity the issue of knowledge of the truth haunted thinkers. Each philosophical school claimed about correctness of the way of studying this subject. As a result of centuries-old disputes and search the main directions of researches were formed. The empiricism is one of scientifically recognized methods.
What is empiricism?
Experience of sensual experiences is a source of knowledge of the world around, the empiricism so approves philosophical doctrine. Thereby it is in a conflict with rationalism which declares that only the reason can be the instrument of knowledge. The science about sensual experience arose in England in the 17th century. The founder she is considered Francis Bacon. Basic provisions:
- knowledge is experience;
- the its is more, the absolute truth is closer;
- the purpose of obtaining knowledge – practical results of domination over the nature.
Main statement of empiricism
Knowledge which can be trusted is what really occurred in reality. Only experience meets such requirements. The empirical method which was this concept the basis contains postulates:
- the series of external events form the sequences of associative communications in consciousness;
- the chain "action - reaction-knowledge" repeats many times;
- there is a gradual merge of perception to experience;
- on such sequence the evolution of fauna is constructed;
- processes of gaining experience are helped by society.
In what a difference between empiricism and rationalism?
The alternative doctrine in a basis of knowledge puts reason. Supporters of this school accuse empiricism of subjectivity of the gained knowledge as sensual impressions at all people different. Main postulates of rationalism:
- To call everything in question.
- In researches to apply a deduction method (from the general to the particular).
- To reach clearness in understanding of the truth.
- To break difficult into simple components and, having studied them, to acquire knowledge.
This direction of philosophical thought regards the theory as of paramount importance. Reflections it is possible to comprehend novel. The big part is assigned to an intuition and doubt as to the driving force of knowledge. In it the main difference from a sensual method of studying the truth. The empiricism is an obtaining practical experience. Only on the basis of the made experiment it is possible to speak with confidence about acquisition of knowledge.
Empirical methods of knowledge
Practical actions mean close contact with concrete objects by means of which conduct researches. It causes an empirical method of knowledge. Enter it:
- observation;
- measurement;
- comparison;
- experiment.
The process of reflection of actions of the world around intended for fixing of the facts (observation) is characterized:
- focus;
- regularity;
- activity.
Definition of numerical characteristics is made by measurement. It submits to the following rules:
- Establish in what units to measure.
- All measurements consider equivalent (numerical indicators are equal at identical physical values).
- Rule of additivity: at change of physical characteristics, numerical expression changes on the same value.
The experiment incorporates elements of above-mentioned actions. Differs in active participation of the person in his carrying out. Consists of:
- research object (is located in special conditions);
- means which study the phenomenon (allow to take readings);
- the subject making an experiment (perceives empirical processes).
Empiricism forms
The division happens because of different interpretation of the term "experience". The first representation – the received knowledge is single because it is subjective (it was acquired by one person). The second form has opposite value. All outside world "consists" of separate units of knowledge. They exist irrespective of sensory perception. If communication between the external action containing "portion" of experience, and the person is interrupted, then unit of the truth of the outside world will continue existence. On the basis of it all of the empiricist has 2 forms.
Immanent empiricism
Consciousness of the person – a discrete set of separate "units" of ideas of the world and the feelings got from the outside. Such is a basic position of this look. Empirical knowledge is a drawing up combinations of single separate feelings. Representatives of the direction claimed that the reality exists only in human consciousness. The philosopher Yum with doubt treated reliability of knowledge gained from experience. Is later its views left the direction scepticism.
Transcendental empiricism
The world of experience is out of human consciousness and consists of material particles. Various combinations form variety of matter of surrounding reality. The transcendental empiricism in philosophy – it in fact is the doctrine of materialism. Within this theory the nature is built in the absolute. The person interacts with the world of external experience and forms consciousness. Also laws of knowledge are formed.
Representatives of empiricism
Empiricists who took part in formation of the theory of sensory perception of the world were number to several dozen. It were the advanced scientists of the time. The brightest of them:
- F. Bacon;
- T. Hobbes;
- J. Locke.
Bacon was considered as the liberal scientist. The philosopher allowed active interaction of various directions and schools. He entered a concept of induction when the facts of single experiments collect and develop in general provisions and laws. The thinker expanded a concept of experience, having included in it conclusions of reflections over results. Bacon's empiricism allowed existence of theoretical knowledge, but as derivative of an experiment. The scientist divided experiments on:
- yielding direct result ("fruitful");
- the ineffectual, but opening regularities ("lightful").
Systematization continued in Hobbes's works. The scientist did not share some views of Bacon about variety of the world. It stood on mechanistic approach in philosophy. The main disciplines considered mathematics and mechanics. The reasoning was considered by them as one of forms of calculations. Locke adhered to sensualism. Perception of experience which was subdivided into external and internal was a subject of its study. It entered a concept of primary and secondary qualities. The ideas are derivative of qualities. It compared them to images of a brain. From them there are theories. Such is an empiricism essence according to Locke.
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Empiricism of modern times
Emergence of this philosophical current became natural result of changes of development of a civilization. During modern times (16-17 centuries) of a position of church weakened. The doctrine of mysticism lost relevance. Philosophical thought was divided into empiricism and rationalism. Strengthening of materialistic views was an incitement to development of natural sciences and mechanics in which empirical data were the main source of knowledge. The accent of researches from the person moved to the world around. Thinking began to be considered only as the instrument of judgment of results of experience.
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