Meaning & use
sensationalism philosophy
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Meanings
noununcountabletechnical
The philosophical view that all knowledge comes only from sensory experience, and that nothing can be known independently of the senses.
Grammar: Uncountable; used with a singular verb, e.g. 'Sensationalism philosophy holds that ...'.
Patterns
- sensationalism philosophy holds that ...
- according to sensationalism philosophy
- the school of sensationalism philosophy
In his lecture on epistemology, the professor explained that sensationalism philosophy denies the existence of innate ideas.
Sensationalism philosophy was influential among some Enlightenment thinkers who wanted to base all knowledge on observation.
Critics of sensationalism philosophy argue that it cannot account for abstract concepts like justice.
noununcountabletechnical
A specific historical movement or doctrine in 18th- and 19th-century thought, especially in France, that reduced all mental life to sensations.
Grammar: Uncountable; often used with the definite article when referring to the historical movement, e.g. 'the sensationalism philosophy of Condillac'.
Patterns
- the sensationalism philosophy of someone
- French sensationalism philosophy
The course covered the sensationalism philosophy of Condillac and its impact on later psychology.
Her book traces the decline of sensationalism philosophy in the early nineteenth century.
Common combinations
- school of sensationalism philosophy
- The school of sensationalism philosophy attracted many followers in eighteenth-century France.
- according to sensationalism philosophy
- According to sensationalism philosophy, the mind begins as a blank slate.
- critique of sensationalism philosophy
- Kant offered a powerful critique of sensationalism philosophy.
- sensationalism philosophy holds that
- Sensationalism philosophy holds that all ideas are derived from sensation.
Synonyms and how they differ
- sensationalism
- In philosophy, this is the shorter and more common term for the same doctrine; the full phrase is used mainly for clarity when the everyday sense might confuse.
- empiricism
- A broader philosophical position that emphasizes experience, often including inner reflection as well as the five senses; sensationalism philosophy is a narrower, more radical form.
Opposites
Word family
- sensationalist noun
- A person who holds or advocates the philosophical view of sensationalism.
- sensationalistic adjective
- Relating to or characteristic of sensationalism, often in the philosophical sense.
Commonly confused: sensationalism philosophy or sensationalism?
sensationalism philosophy vs sensationalism
In everyday use, sensationalism means the practice of using shocking or exaggerated stories to attract attention, especially in media. The philosophical term is a specialized use of the same word.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'sensationalism philosophy' correctly?
Choose one answer.
Option B correctly uses the term to refer to the philosophical doctrine that knowledge comes from the senses. Option A confuses it with the everyday sense of sensationalism as media exaggeration. Option C also confuses the two senses. Option D misuses the term to describe a person's behavior rather than a philosophical position.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “sensationalism philosophy”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.