How do empiricists challenge the possibility of certainty?

Empiricists challenge the possibility of certainty by asserting that all knowledge is derived from sensory experience and observation. They argue that our understanding of the world is limited to what we can perceive through our senses, and therefore, we can never be absolutely certain about anything.

One of the main arguments put forth by empiricists is the problem of induction. They claim that no matter how many times we observe a particular event or phenomenon, we can never be certain that it will occur in the same way in the future. For example, if we observe a thousand white swans, we cannot be certain that the next swan we encounter will also be white. This challenges the notion of certainty because it suggests that our knowledge is always provisional and subject to revision based on new experiences.

Furthermore, empiricists argue that our senses can be fallible and prone to error. Illusions, hallucinations, and perceptual biases demonstrate that our senses can deceive us, leading to false beliefs. This undermines the possibility of achieving absolute certainty since our knowledge is contingent upon the reliability of our senses.

Empiricists also highlight the problem of the "veil of perception." They argue that our perception of the world is mediated by our senses, and we can never directly access the external reality. Our understanding of the world is limited to the information provided by our senses, which may not accurately represent the true nature of reality. This challenges the possibility of certainty because we can never be certain that our perceptions align with the objective reality.

In conclusion, empiricists challenge the possibility of certainty by emphasizing the limitations of sensory experience and observation. They argue that our knowledge is always provisional, subject to revision, and contingent upon the fallibility of our senses. The problem of induction, the fallibility of our senses, and the veil of perception all contribute to the skepticism towards achieving absolute certainty in empirical knowledge.