Modern Empiricism

ST.
AUGUSTINE’S SENIOR SEMINARY
OF PHILOSOPHY-MABANGA
_____________________________________________________
BRITISH EMPIRICISM
STUDENT: WANJALA EVANS WEKESA
A Research In Modern Philosophy I
MODERATOR: REV. FR. SIMON MATSEKHE
BUNGOMA 2024
Table of Contents
EMPIRICISM..................................................................................................................................1
Historical Context........................................................................................................................1
KEY PROPONENTS OF EMPIRICISM........................................................................................1
JOHN LOCKE.............................................................................................................................1
Main Ideas...............................................................................................................................1
FRANCIS BACON.....................................................................................................................2
Main Ideas...............................................................................................................................2
GEORGE BERKELEY...............................................................................................................3
Main ideas................................................................................................................................3
DAVID HUME............................................................................................................................3
Main ideas................................................................................................................................4
AUGUSTUS COMTE.................................................................................................................4
Main Ideas...............................................................................................................................4
GENERAL CONCLUSION............................................................................................................5
BIBLIOGRAPHY............................................................................................................................6
EMPIRICISM
Empiricism is a philosophical doctrine that asserts that knowledge is
primarily derived from sensory experience. Empiricists argue that our
understanding of the world comes through our interactions with it and
that all concepts and knowledge must be grounded in observable
phenomena.
HISTORICAL CONTEXT
Empiricism emerged in contrast to rationalism, which holds that
knowledge can be gained through reason and innate ideas. The
empiricist movement became particularly prominent during the early
modern period, especially in the works of philosophers in England,
France, and later in the development of scientific methods.
KEY PROPONENTS OF EMPIRICISM

JOHN LOCKE (1632–1704)
Main Ideas
-Tabula Rasa: Locke famously proposed that the human mind is a blank
slate at birth. He argued that all knowledge comes from experience,
challenging the notion of innate ideas.
- Sources of Knowledge: He distinguished between two sources of
knowledge; sensation (experience through the senses) and reflection
(internal mental processes).
Primary and Secondary Qualities: Locke categorized qualities of objects

into primary qualities (such as shape and motion, which exist
independently of perception) and secondary qualities (such as color and
taste, which depend on sensory perception).
Personal Identity: In his work "An Essay Concerning Human

Understanding," Locke posited that personal identity is rooted in
consciousness and memory, rather than the substance of the body or
soul.
FRANCIS BACON (1561–1626)
Main Ideas
Inductive Reasoning: Bacon emphasized the importance of inductive
reasoning, advocating for the systematic collection of data and the
formulation of general principles based on observation.
The Scientific Method: He laid the groundwork for the modern scientific
method, promoting empirical research and experimentation as essential
to knowledge acquisition.
Great Instauration: In his major work, Bacon called for a reformation of
scientific inquiry to improve human understanding of the natural world,
emphasizing the need to eliminate preconceived notions and biases.
GEORGE BERKELEY (1685–1753)
Main ideas
Immaterialism: Berkeley argued against the existence of material
substance, asserting that objects only exist as they are perceived. His
famous dictum, "To be is to be perceived" (esse est percipi),
encapsulates his view that reality is dependent on perception.
Critique of Abstract Ideas: He contended that abstract concepts, which

do not have a direct basis in sensory experience, are meaningless.
Role of Go: To address the issue of unperceived objects, Berkeley

posited that God serves as the ultimate perceiver, ensuring that objects
continue to exist even when not being observed.
DAVID HUME (1711–1770)
Main ideas
Empirical Skepticism: Hume is known for his skeptical approach to
knowledge, arguing that while empirical experience is vital, we cannot
achieve certainty about most of what we claim to know.
Impressions and Ideas: He distinguished between impressions (vivid
sensory experiences) and ideas (less vivid recollections of those
impressions), asserting that all ideas must originate from impressions.
-Causation and Induction: Hume famously questioned the concept of

causation, suggesting that we cannot directly observe causal
connections, only patterns of association. He highlighted the "problem
of induction," which critiques the assumption that the future will
resemble the past.
AUGUSTUS COMTE (1798–1857)
Main Ideas
Positivism: Comte introduced positivism, which emphasizes knowledge
based on empirical observation and scientific inquiry while rejecting
metaphysical and theological explanations.
Hierarchy of Sciences: He proposed a hierarchy of sciences, with

sociology as the highest, relying on principles established in simpler
sciences like mathematics, physics, and biology.
Three Stages of Human Thought: Comte suggested that human

understanding progresses through three stages: the theological stage
(explaining phenomena through divine intervention), the metaphysical
stage (using abstract reasoning), and the scientific stage (focused on
empirical observation).
GENERAL CONCLUSION
Empiricism has played a critical role in shaping modern philosophy,
science, and our understanding of human knowledge. The contributions
of Locke, Bacon, Berkeley, Hume, and Comte laid the foundations for
subsequent philosophical inquiry and the scientific method. Their ideas
emphasize the importance of sensory experience as the cornerstone of
knowledge, contrasting sharply with rationalist views that prioritize
reason and innate concepts.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
BORRUSO Silvano, A History of Philosophy: For almost everyone,
Pauline’s Publication Africa, Limuru, 2007
CASTELL Alburey, An Introduction to modern Philosophy: In seven

philosophical problems, the Macmillan company, New York, 19632.
COPLESTON Fredrick, A History of Philosophy, Burns and Oates

limited, V. v, Britain, 1959.
ETIENNE Gilson and THOMAS Langan, Modern Philosophy:

Descartes to Kant, Pontifical Institute of Medieval Libraries, Toronto,
1929
JOHN Locke (ed, by Alexander Campell), An Essay concerning Human

Understanding, Barnes and Noble Publishing, Inc., USA, 2004.
JOHN Locke, Americans Philosophy: American Intellectual life, Library

Congress Cataloging In Publication data, 2022.
KAUNITZ M. Maurice, A popular History of Philosophy, Burns and

Oates limited, USA, 1941
SAHAKIAN S. William, History of Philosophy, Barnes and Noble

Publishing, New York, 1968.
WALSH J. Martin, A History of philosophy, Cassel ltd, London, 1984

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ST.

AUGUSTINE’S SENIOR SEMINARY

STUDENT: WANJALA EVANS WEKESA

A Research In Modern Philosophy I

MODERATOR: REV. FR. SIMON MATSEKHE

KEY PROPONENTS OF EMPIRICISM........................................................................................1

KEY PROPONENTS OF EMPIRICISM

Primary and Secondary Qualities: Locke categorized qualities of objects

Personal Identity: In his work "An Essay Concerning Human

FRANCIS BACON (1561–1626)

GEORGE BERKELEY (1685–1753)

Critique of Abstract Ideas: He contended that abstract concepts, which

Role of Go: To address the issue of unperceived objects, Berkeley

DAVID HUME (1711–1770)

-Causation and Induction: Hume famously questioned the concept of

AUGUSTUS COMTE (1798–1857)

Hierarchy of Sciences: He proposed a hierarchy of sciences, with

Three Stages of Human Thought: Comte suggested that human

CASTELL Alburey, An Introduction to modern Philosophy: In seven

COPLESTON Fredrick, A History of Philosophy, Burns and Oates

ETIENNE Gilson and THOMAS Langan, Modern Philosophy:

JOHN Locke (ed, by Alexander Campell), An Essay concerning Human

JOHN Locke, Americans Philosophy: American Intellectual life, Library

KAUNITZ M. Maurice, A popular History of Philosophy, Burns and

SAHAKIAN S. William, History of Philosophy, Barnes and Noble

WALSH J. Martin, A History of philosophy, Cassel ltd, London, 1984

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