According to empiricists, how does the mind acquire knowledge?

The belief that the mind acquires knowledge through sensory impressions and experiences is rooted in empiricist philosophy, which emphasizes that knowledge originates from our senses and observations of the world. Empiricists argue that individuals learn and develop their understanding through direct interaction with their environment, accumulating data from what they see, hear, feel, taste, and smell.

This view is contrasted with the notion of innate ideas, which posits that some knowledge is hardwired into the brain independent of experience. Logical deduction alone suggests that reasoning can generate knowledge without reliance on sensory data, while academic instruction focuses on learning that is structured and formalized, which may incorporate empiricism but does not encompass the broader, experiential basis fundamental to the empiricist perspective. Therefore, the assertion that knowledge comes primarily from sensory impressions and experiences aligns closely with the central tenets of empiricism.