Encyclopedia of Opinion
Question
Where does knowledge come from?
Position1 of 4›

Knowledge can only be gained through empirical data

This position holds that knowledge can only be gained through empirical data. It argues that the scientific method and other forms of empirical study are how we genuinely learn about the world, and that purely rationalist approaches risk opening the door to common superstition.

Supporting arguments · 2

  1. Rationalists approaches to knowledge open the public up to the cult of common superstition
    Reason and logic through rationalism are subject to change and many interpretations, more likely leading to superstition than empirical methods to knowledge
  2. Knowledge can be gained through the scientific method
    Constructing hypotheses, conducting experiments, and collecting and evaluating data are the best and most accurate methods to gaining knowledge.