Which theory states that knowledge comes only or primarily from sensory experience?

In philosophy, empiricism is a theory that states that knowledge comes only or primarily from sensory experience. It is one of several views of epistemology, along with rationalism and skepticism. Empiricism emphasizes the role of empirical evidence in the formation of ideas, rather than innate ideas or traditions. Recently, there have been increased efforts to advocate for added empiricism in non-scientific and social science studies, especially as such studies relate to health law, public health law, etc. However, empiricists may argue that traditions (or customs) arise due to relations of previous sense experiences.

Historically, empiricism was associated with the "blank slate" concept ('tabula rasa'), according to which the human mind is "blank" at birth and develops its thoughts only through experience.

The earliest Western proto-empiricists were the Empiric school of ancient Greek medical practitioners, founded in 330 BCE. Its members rejected the three doctrines of the Dogmatic school, preferring to rely on the observation of phantasiai (i.e., phenomena, the appearances). The Empiric school was closely allied with Pyrrhonist school of philosophy, which made the philosophical case for their proto-empiricism.

Empiricism as a term became useful in the 17th century, in order to describe differences perceived between two of its founders; Francis Bacon, described as an "empiricist", and René Descartes, who is described as a "rationalist".