Final answer:
Empirical Functionalism struggles to account for non-empirical forms of knowledge, adequately explain social change, and often overlooks the historical experiences of groups, including the impacts of colonialism.
Step-by-step explanation:
Empirical Functionalists struggle with explaining certain forms of knowledge that do not rely on sensory experiences, such as mathematical and logical truths, as well as knowledge of phenomena that cannot be directly experienced, like subatomic particles or quanta of energy. This issue stems from an over-reliance on empirical evidence, which is unable to fully grasp abstract concepts that are nonetheless integral to our understanding of the world. Moreover, Empirical Functionalism, in its depiction of society, encounters difficulties with addressing social change and its ahistorical approach. First, it cannot explain social changes that come from repetitive behavior patterns that are assumed to be functional simply because they are repeated, illustrating circular reasoning. Secondly, dysfunctions may persist despite not serving a function, contradicting the assumption that societal behaviors must have a purpose. Lastly, Empirical Functionalism often overlooks the historical experiences of groups and their interactions with other cultures, including the impacts of colonialism.