phenomenalism

phenomenalism
The philosophy of perception that elaborates the idea that, in the words of J. S. Mill, ‘objects are the permanent possibilities of sensation’. To inhabit a world of independent, external objects is, on this view, to be the subject of actual and possible orderly experiences. Espoused by Russell, the view issued in a programme of translating talk about physical objects and their locations into talk about possible experiences (see logical construction ). The attempt is widely supposed to have failed, and the priority the approach gives to experience has been much criticized. It is more common in contemporary philosophy to see experience as itself a construct from the actual way of the world, rather than the other way round.

Philosophy dictionary. . 2011.

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  • Phenomenalism — • Philosophical theories that assert that there is no knowledge other than that of phenomena Catholic Encyclopedia. Kevin Knight. 2006. Phenomenalism     Phenomenalism      …   Catholic encyclopedia

  • Phenomenalism — Phe*nom e*nal*ism, n. (Metaph.) That theory which limits positive or scientific knowledge to phenomena only, whether material or spiritual. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • phenomenalism — [fə näm′ə nəliz΄əm] n. the philosophic theory that knowledge is limited to phenomena, either because there is no reality beyond phenomena or because such reality is unknowable phenomenalist n. phenomenalistic adj. phenomenalistically adv …   English World dictionary

  • Phenomenalism — In epistemology and the philosophy of perception, phenomenalism is the view that physical objects do not exist as things in themselves but only as perceptual phenomena or sensory stimuli (e.g. redness, hardness, softness, sweetness, etc.)… …   Wikipedia

  • Phenomenalism — in epistemology and the philosophy of perception, phenomenalism is the view that physical objects do not exist as things in themselves but only as perceptual phenomena or sensory stimuli (e.g. redness, hardness, softness, sweetness, etc.)… …   Mini philosophy glossary

  • phenomenalism — phenomenalist, n. phenomenalistic, adj. phenomenalistically, adv. /fi nom euh nl iz euhm/, n. Philos. 1. the doctrine that phenomena are the only objects of knowledge or the only form of reality. 2. the view that all things, including human… …   Universalium

  • phenomenalism — noun Date: circa 1865 1. a theory that limits knowledge to phenomena only 2. a theory that all knowledge is of phenomena and that what is construed to be perception of material objects is simply perception of sense data • phenomenalist noun or… …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • phenomenalism — noun The doctrine that physical objects exist only as perceptual phenomena or sensory stimuli …   Wiktionary

  • phenomenalism — belief that phenomena are the only realities Philosophical Isms …   Phrontistery dictionary

  • phenomenalism — phe nom·e·nal·ism || fɪ nÉ‘mɪnÉ™lɪzm / É’ n. belief that phenomena comprise the only true knowledge (Philosophy) …   English contemporary dictionary

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