What is a core belief of empiricism during the Enlightenment?

A core belief of empiricism during the Enlightenment is that knowledge comes primarily from sensory experience. This philosophy emphasizes observation and experimentation as the foundations of knowledge, setting itself apart from theories that claim knowledge is innate or derived solely from religious or intuitive understanding. Empiricists argue that all ideas and concepts must originate from what we can observe in the world around us, advocating for rigorous scientific inquiry and skepticism of absolute truths that aren't substantiated by empirical evidence. This approach laid important groundwork for the development of the scientific method and modern scientific thought, encouraging thinkers to rely on direct experience and evidence rather than assumptions or doctrines.