sensationism: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Formal
Quick answer
What does “sensationism” mean?
A philosophical doctrine that all knowledge originates in sensory experience.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A philosophical doctrine that all knowledge originates in sensory experience.
In psychology, an approach emphasising the role of sensations and sensory data in the formation of ideas and mental processes. In art or literary criticism, it can denote an emphasis on creating or describing sensory experiences.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant spelling or syntactic differences. The concept is equally relevant in philosophical discourse in both regions.
Connotations
In British academic tradition, it may be more closely associated with 19th-century British empiricists. In American usage, it might be linked more broadly to psychological behaviourism or empirical studies.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both variants, confined almost exclusively to academic texts.
Grammar
How to Use “sensationism” in a Sentence
Sensationism + [verb: argues, posits, holds] + that-clauseAdherence to sensationismA critique of sensationismVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “sensationism” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- The sensationist approach was rigorously debated.
American English
- He held a sensationist view of perception.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in philosophy, psychology, and history of ideas courses and texts to describe specific epistemological theories.
Everyday
Not used in everyday conversation.
Technical
A precise term in philosophical and psychological discourse.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “sensationism”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “sensationism”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “sensationism”
- Using 'sensationism' to mean 'sensationalism' (the use of exciting or shocking stories).
- Pronouncing it with a strong 'z' sound (/sɛnˈseɪʒəˌnɪzəm/) instead of the correct 'sh' sound (/ʃ/).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, they are completely different. Sensationism is a philosophical theory about knowledge from the senses. Sensationalism is the use of exciting or shocking stories to provoke public interest.
John Locke, Étienne Bonnot de Condillac, and early empiricist philosophers are often linked to sensationist ideas.
Almost never. It is a highly specialised academic term used in philosophy and psychology.
It's the idea that everything we know starts as raw data from our five senses (sight, sound, touch, taste, smell), with no inborn ideas.
Sensationism is usually formal in register.
Sensationism: in British English it is pronounced /sɛnˈseɪʃ(ə)nɪz(ə)m/, and in American English it is pronounced /sɛnˈseɪʃəˌnɪzəm/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “N/A”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: SENSATION-ISM – the 'ism' (philosophy) based solely on SENSATION.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE MIND IS A BLANK SLATE WRITTEN ON BY THE SENSES.
Practice
Quiz
Sensationism is most closely opposed to which philosophical doctrine?