What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
empiricist
Example
As an empiricist, John Locke believed that all knowledge comes from sensory experience. [empiricist: noun]
Example
Empiricist philosophers argue that knowledge is derived from sense experience rather than innate ideas. [empiricist: adjective]
Example
The empiricist approach to science involves conducting experiments and making observations to test hypotheses. [empiricist: noun]
positivist
Example
Auguste Comte is considered the founder of positivism, a philosophy that emphasizes the importance of scientific observation and analysis. [positivist: noun]
Example
Positivist thinkers argue that only scientific knowledge can be considered true knowledge. [positivist: adjective]
Example
The positivist approach to science involves using empirical evidence and scientific method to explain natural phenomena. [positivist: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Empiricism and positivism are both technical terms that are less commonly used in everyday language. However, positivism is more commonly used in academic and scientific contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between empiricist and positivist?
Both empiricism and positivism are technical terms that are typically used in formal or academic contexts.
