Which term describes knowledge based on observation or experiment?

• A. Personal
• B. Ethical
• C. Empirical
• D. Aesthetic

Answer: (C)

Empirical knowledge is knowledge gained through observation or experimentation, relying on evidence that can be seen, measured, and repeated. In practice, this means forming a hypothesis, collecting data through careful observations or controlled experiments, and evaluating results to see if they support the idea. This emphasis on observable evidence and testable results is what sets empirical knowledge apart from other ways of knowing, such as personal knowledge (based on individual experience), ethical knowledge (about right and wrong), or aesthetic knowledge (about beauty and taste). So the term that describes knowledge based on observation or experiment is empirical.