The term "sensist" refers to a philosophical outlook or theory known as sensationalism or sensism. Sensism is a viewpoint that posits all human knowledge is derived from sensory experiences alone. A sensist, therefore, subscribes to the belief that our understanding of the world and the formation of knowledge is solely built upon immediate sensations, perceptions, and sensory input.
In this perspective, sensists reject the existence of innate ideas, innate knowledge, or any other external sources of understanding. Instead, they argue that knowledge emerges through the mind's reception and interpretation of sensory data, such as sight, hearing, touch, taste, and smell.
Sensists maintain that sensory experiences form the foundation for all concepts, judgments, and reasoning. They assert that through observation, humans gather empirical evidence that allows them to develop general principles and laws governing the world.
The sensist philosophy often contrasts with rationalism, which asserts that reason alone can generate knowledge independent of sensory experiences. Sensists contend that rationalist claims, including innate knowledge or a priori truths, lack empirical support and need to be grounded in sensory perception for legitimacy.
It is worth noting that while sensism is most commonly associated with the philosophy of empiricism, there may be variations and nuances within the sensist school of thought. Generally, sensists emphasize the primacy of the senses and sensory experiences in the acquisition of knowledge.
