empiricist

This term describes an individual committed to the philosophy of empiricism, prioritizing sensory data and observable evidence over theoretical speculation or a priori reasoning. It carries a connotation of scientific rigor and skepticism toward claims that cannot be verified through experimentation or direct observation.

In academic and philosophical discourse, the term is often positioned in direct opposition to rationalism. While a rationalist might argue that certain truths are innate or discoverable through pure logic, the empiricist insists that the mind begins as a blank slate, shaped entirely by external experience.