What is the role of certainty in empiricism?

Philosophy Skepticism And Empiricism Questions



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What is the role of certainty in empiricism?

The role of certainty in empiricism is to emphasize the importance of evidence and experience in forming knowledge and beliefs. Empiricists argue that certainty can only be achieved through sensory perception and observation of the external world. They believe that knowledge should be based on empirical evidence rather than abstract reasoning or innate ideas. Certainty, in this context, is seen as a result of repeated and consistent observations, which provide a high degree of confidence in the truth of a proposition. However, empiricists also acknowledge that absolute certainty is difficult to attain, as our senses can be fallible and subject to limitations. Therefore, while certainty is valued in empiricism, it is recognized that it is not always achievable in practice.