Single Idea 15619

[catalogued under 12. Knowledge Sources / D. Empiricism / 1. Empiricism]

Full Idea

Empiricism resulted from a need for concrete content, as opposed to abstract theories that cannot advance from universal generalizations to the particular, and for a firm hold against the possibility of proving any claim at all in the field.

Gist of Idea

Empiricism made particular knowledge possible, and blocked wild claims

Source

Georg W.F.Hegel (Logic (Encyclopedia I) [1817], §37)

Book Reference

Hegel,Georg W.F.: 'The Hegel Reader', ed/tr. Houlgate,Stephen [Blackwell 1998], p.151


A Reaction

That sounds about right, and makes you wonder why Hegel wasn't an empiricist.

Related Idea

Idea 15620 Empiricism contains the important idea that we should see knowledge for ourselves, and be part of it [Hegel]