phenomenalist

9.9

A person who believes only what can be seen or felt is real

noun
/fəˈnɒmɪnəlɪst/

Specialized

: fenomenalista

Many phenomenalists argue that perception shapes reality.

Examples

Many philosophers have discussed the arguments put forward by a phenomenalist.
A true phenomenalist believes that reality is defined by our experiences and perceptions.
The phenomenalist maintained that we cannot know anything beyond our own experiences.
In the debate, the phenomenalist challenged the idea of an objective reality.
A phenomenalist believes in the reality of experiences.
In debates about the nature of reality, a phenomenalist emphasizes the importance of sensory experience.
Many phenomenalists argue that understanding comes solely from what can be observed and experienced.

Synonyms

empiricist

vsphenomenalist

Formal

3 8.1

A person who thinks knowledge comes mostly from experience and observation

limits what is real or knowable only to perceived experience

subjectivist

vsphenomenalist

Specialized

1 9.9

A person who believes truth and values depend on personal experience or perception

applies to perceived reality generally rather than only to personal views

antirealist

vsphenomenalist

Formal

9.7

A person who believes the world depends on what we see or think

asserts a stricter rule tying reality and knowledge to perception alone

Surface Forms

phenomenalist singular

phenomenalists plural

Morphology

phenomenalist = phenomenal (semi-transparent) = phenomen + alist

The suffix '-ist' indicates a person who practices or is concerned with something, but the philosophical context may not be immediately clear.

Etymology

The word phenomenalist comes from phenomenon, a word for something that 'appears' or is seen, and the ending -alist, which means 'a person'. So a phenomenalist is someone who believes only what we can see, feel, or directly experience is real or that we can know.