a. [f. L. experienti-a (see EXPERIENCE sb.) + -AL.] Of or pertaining to experience or observation; based on or derived from experience. Experiential philosophy: the system that regards all knowledge as derived from experience. So experiential philosopher, doctrine, etc.
1816. Coleridge, Statesm. Man., App. p. xi. The understanding or experiential faculty, unirradiated by the reason … has no appropriate object but the material world.
1836–7. Sir W. Hamilton, Metaph. (1877), I. iii. 54. It is called empirical or experiential … because it is given us by experience or observation.
1872. Morley, Voltaire (1886), 67. The same method which established gravitation presided over the birth of the experiential psychology.
1874. Carpenter, Ment. Phys., I. ii. § 58. The experiential acquirement of knowledge.
1882–3. H. D. Calderwood, in Schaff, Encycl. Relig. Knowl., 1224. The sceptical assault of Hume on the experiential philosophy.
Hence Experientialism, the theory or doctrine that all knowledge is derived from experience. Experientialist, a supporter of, or a believer in, experientialism. Experientially adv., with regard to experience, in experience.
1865. Masson, Rec. Brit. Philos., 37. As Mr. Mill has used the adjective ‘Experiential’ … perhaps the substantive Experientialism … might be brought into use.
1870. Contemp. Rev., XIV. 286. The Experientialists are always saying to the Axiomatic moralists, ‘You do not understand—we believe in Conscience just as much as you do.’
1876. Fox Bourne, Locke, II. x. 114. Locke’s piety … did not make him less of an experientialist or utilitarian.
1647. H. More, Song of Soul, I. Introd. 12/1. This trinall effect or spirituall influence on the Soul is experientially true.
1697. J. Sergeant, Solid Philos., 124. The Reflex Act is experientially known by the very Act it self.
1887. Mrs. C. Reade, Maid o’ the Mill, I. xvii. 246. He is, socially, as well as experientially, vastly her superior.
