experientialism

[ ik-speer-ee-en-shuh-liz-uhm ]

noun

, Epistemology.

1. any doctrine or theory that maintains that personal experience is the only or the principal basis of knowledge.

Other Words From

• ex·peri·ential·ist noun
• ex·peri·ential·istic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of experientialism¹

First recorded in 1860–65; experiential + -ism