Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'empiricism'

English Word: empiricism

Key Russian Translations:

• эмпиризм [ɛmˈpʲirʲɪzm] - [Formal]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in academic, philosophical, and scientific contexts, but rare in everyday conversation)

Difficulty: C1 (Advanced; requires familiarity with philosophical terminology and abstract concepts, suitable for learners with strong vocabulary in Russian)

Pronunciation (Russian):

эмпиризм: [ɛmˈpʲirʲɪzm]

Note on эмпиризм: The stress falls on the second syllable ("pʲirʲ"), and the "пʲ" represents a palatalized 'p' sound, which can be challenging for English speakers due to the soft consonant. Practice with native audio for accuracy.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

The philosophical doctrine that knowledge arises from sensory experience and observation, rather than innate ideas or pure reason.

Translation(s) & Context:

• эмпиризм - Used in formal philosophical discussions, academic writing, or scientific contexts to describe the reliance on empirical evidence.

Usage Examples:

• Эмпиризм лежит в основе многих современных научных методологий.

  Empiricism lies at the foundation of many modern scientific methodologies.

• В философии эмпиризм противостоит рационализму, подчеркивая роль опыта.

  In philosophy, empiricism opposes rationalism, emphasizing the role of experience.

• Приверженцы эмпиризма утверждают, что все знания происходят из наблюдений.

  Adherents of empiricism assert that all knowledge derives from observations.

• Эмпиризм как метод помог развитию экспериментальной психологии.

  Empiricism as a method aided the development of experimental psychology.

• Критику эмпиризма часто адресуют его игнорирование интуиции.

  Critics of empiricism often point to its neglect of intuition.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Эмпиризм" is a masculine noun borrowed from English/Greek via Latin, and it is typically indeclinable in modern Russian due to its foreign origin. This means it does not change form based on case, number, or gender. However, in some formal or archaic contexts, it may follow basic masculine patterns.

Note: While it has some inflection, many users treat it as invariant for simplicity.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • эмпирический подход (empirical approach) - More descriptive, often used in methodological contexts; implies a practical application rather than the pure philosophy.
  • опытный метод (experiential method) - Informal synonym, emphasizing experience over abstract theory.
• Antonyms:
  • рационализм (rationalism) - Emphasizes reason over experience.
  • идеализм (idealism) - Focuses on innate ideas rather than sensory data.

Related Phrases:

• эмпирический метод - Empirical method; a practical approach based on observation and experimentation in science.
• принципы эмпиризма - Principles of empiricism; refers to the core ideas in philosophical debates.
• эмпиризм в науке - Empiricism in science; highlights its role in empirical research and validation.

Usage Notes:

"Эмпиризм" directly corresponds to the English term "empiricism" and is primarily used in formal, academic, or philosophical contexts. It is a loanword, so its usage is limited to educated discourse and may not be familiar to everyday Russian speakers. When choosing this term, ensure the context involves philosophy or science, as it carries a specific connotation of evidence-based knowledge. For general discussions, alternatives like "эмпирический подход" might be more accessible. Grammatically, it functions as a masculine noun and can be modified by adjectives (e.g., "классический эмпиризм" for "classical empiricism"). Avoid overusing it in informal settings to prevent sounding overly academic.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Confusing "эмпиризм" (the noun for the philosophical doctrine) with "эмпирический" (the adjective meaning "empirical"). For example, a learner might say "эмпиризм данные" instead of "эмпирические данные" (empirical data).

  Correct: Use "эмпиризм" only for the concept, e.g., "Эмпиризм — это подход..." (Empiricism is an approach...).

  Explanation: "Эмпиризм" is a noun, not an adjective, so it doesn't modify other words directly. This error stems from direct translation without considering Russian word classes.

• Mistake: Incorrect pronunciation, such as stressing the wrong syllable (e.g., saying [ɛm pʲiˈrʲɪzm] instead of [ɛmˈpʲirʲɪzm]).

  Correct: Practice the proper IPA [ɛmˈpʲirʲɪzm] with audio resources.

  Explanation: Misplacing stress can alter perceived meaning or make the word sound unnatural in Russian.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture and philosophy, "эмпиризм" is often discussed in the context of Western influences, particularly from British philosophers like John Locke and David Hume, who shaped empiricist thought. It contrasts with traditional Russian philosophical leanings toward idealism (e.g., in the works of Vladimir Solovyov). Understanding empiricism helps English learners appreciate how Russian intellectual history engages with global ideas, especially in scientific realism versus metaphysical speculation.

Related Concepts:

• рационализм
• идеализм
• позитивизм
• эмпирическая философия