A NON RELIGIOUS BELIEF
SYSTEM
EMPIRICISM
Empiricism and Science
• Empiricism is a theory
of knowledge which asserts that
knowledge arises from experience
• A central concept in science and
the scientific method is that
all evidence must be empirical, or
empirically based, that is, dependent
on evidence or consequences that are
observable by the senses.
The Empiricist Philosophers
John Locke 1632- 1704 (UK)
• Locke's political theory
was founded on social
contract theory. (the
authority of government
comes from the consent
of the people.)
• He rejected the Christian
doctrine of original sin.
• He asserted that we are
all born with a blank
slate
• Locke believed
that human nature is
characterized by reason
and tolerance
David Hume 1711-1776 (UK)
• Hume was the first
philosopher to openly
espouse atheism
• He believed that
experience was the only
form of reality
• He rejected belief in
anything that could not be
proved by experience and
observation
• His “Treatise on Human
Nature “ 1740 was very
influential
Establishment of the USA 1776
• The founders of the USA were heavily
influenced by the empiricists
• Benjamin Franklin and Thomas
Jefferson in particular
• The American War of Independence
gave these men a chance to put their
ideas into practice
• The ideas of Locke and Hume were
incorporated into US constitution and
have remained central to the
philosophy of the West
Listen to the BBC on Empiricism
• Empiricists wanted religion to be a
personal issue
• Individuals should have freedom to
follow their own ideas. This was
revolutionary –
• 300 English people were executed
between 1553 and 1558 for
refusing to accept the religion of
the Queen
• In Paris in 1572 about 25000 were
killed between August and October
for the same reason
Secularisation
• Secularisation is the
separation of
religion and politics
• It is fundamental to
the worldview of the
western world
• It encourages
freedom of religion
and multiculturalism
• Empiricists were
strong supporters
Thomas Jefferson
• We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all
men are created equal, that they are endowed by
their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that
among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of
Happiness.
• Jefferson was a man of many achievements,
author of the Declaration of Independence,
President of the USA, bought Louisiana, etc
• He wanted to be remembered for only two things
• Founding the University of Virginia
• Guaranteeing religious freedom in Virginia
Globalisation
• In a secular world religion is a personal
choice not a social imperative
• This means that Catholics, Baptists,
Muslims and Buddhists can all be
friends with Atheists.
• Conflict is avoided and cooperation
enhanced
• Fundamentalists of all faiths often
attack this as they want to impose their
beliefs on others.