phenomenalism

[ fi-nom-uh-nl-iz-uhm ]

noun

, Philosophy.

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 beings, consist simply of the aggregate of their observable, sensory qualities.

phenomenalism

/ fɪˈnɒmɪnəˌlɪzəm /

noun

1. philosophy the doctrine that statements about physical objects and the external world can be analysed in terms of possible or actual experiences, and that entities, such as physical objects, are only mental constructions out of phenomenal appearances Compare idealism realism

Derived Forms

• pheˈnomenalist, nounadjective
• pheˌnomenalˈistically, adverb

Other Words From

• phe·nome·nal·ist noun
• phe·nome·nal·istic adjective
• phe·nome·nal·isti·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of phenomenalism¹

First recorded in 1860–65; phenomenal + -ism

Example Sentences

In other words, is Kants position subjectivism or phenomenalism?

From Project Gutenberg

The proper names for these opposite conceptions are of course Noumenalism and Phenomenalism.

From Project Gutenberg

In so far as subjectivism reduces reality to states of knowledge, such as perceptions or ideas, it is phenomenalism.

From Project Gutenberg

Similarly a phenomenalism, like that of Hume, takes immediate presence to sense as the norm of being and knowledge.

From Project Gutenberg

But he differs both from Malebranche and from Hume in that he develops his phenomenalism on rationalist lines.

From Project Gutenberg