In the Modern period, empiricism seems to begin with a deep interest in ________, but soon that interest turns to
The problem of ________.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Empiricism in the Modern period begins with a deep interest in epistemology, or the study of knowledge acquisition. However, soon the focus turns to ontology, the study of the nature of reality. This shift occurred primarily because early empiricists realized that their theories of knowledge acquisition (such as the role of sense experience) were intimately connected to their theories of reality (such as the nature of substance). Therefore, they began to explore these ontological questions alongside their epistemological ones.

In the Modern Period, Empiricism Seems to Begin with a Deep