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Metaphysical vs Empirical - What's the difference?

metaphysical | empirical |

As adjectives the difference between metaphysical and empirical

is that metaphysical is of or pertaining to metaphysics while empirical is pertaining to or based on experience.

metaphysical

English

Adjective

(-)
  • Of or pertaining to metaphysics.
  • Immaterial, supersensual, not physical (more properly, "beyond" that which is physical).

    • Derived terms

    * metaphysically

    See also

    * transcendental

    empirical

    English

    Adjective

    (-)
  • Pertaining to or based on experience.
  • * H. Spencer
    • The village carpenter lays out his work by empirical rules learnt in his apprenticeship.
  • Pertaining to, derived from, or testable by observations made using the physical senses or using instruments which extend the senses.
  • (philosophy of science) Verifiable by means of scientific experimentation.

    • Synonyms

    * empiric

    Antonyms

    * nonempirical

    Coordinate terms

    * conceptual * theoretical * anecdotal

    Derived terms

    * empirically

    Related terms

    * empiricism * empiricist

    See also

    * anecdotal evidence * trial and error

    External links

    * * *