Final answer:
Empiricism is a philosophy asserting that true knowledge is derived from sensory experience, and studying empirically involves using observation and experimentation to gain knowledge. It's an essential aspect of the scientific method and is used to confirm the validity of data, such as in empirical political science.
Step-by-step explanation:
What is Empiricism?
Empiricism is a theory in epistemology emphasizing that knowledge comes primarily from sensory experience. It contends that the only true knowledge is that which is based on observable data and experiences rather than on inherent ideas or intuition. Empiricists such as John Locke believed the mind begins as a blank slate (tabula rasa) and that all knowledge is built up from experiences that imprint upon the senses, which are then represented in the mind as ideas.
Studying Empirically
To study something empirically means to rely on observation and experimentation to form knowledge. This approach is central to the scientific method, which demands hypotheses and theories to be tested against the natural world, guiding an ongoing process of revision and refinement. Essentially, empirical studies are those which seek to gain information through systematic observation or experimentation.
Empiricism in Modern Context
In contemporary science and philosophy, empiricism has evolved. Beyond classical thinkers like Locke and Hume, empirical approaches now focus on the tentativeness and the probabilistic nature of knowledge, acknowledging that our understanding is subject to revision. Empirical research is highly regarded due to its ability to furnish verifiable facts, as seen in empirical political science which values measurable data, such as vote counts.