Why did many empiricists lean towards determinism?

Many empiricists leaned towards determinism because they viewed the mind as a blank slate, primarily shaped by sensory impressions and experiences. This perspective suggests that all knowledge and understanding originate from direct interactions with the environment, emphasizing that behavior and thought processes can be traced back to these external inputs.

In this framework, since individuals react to sensory experiences in predictable ways, it implies a degree of determinism. The idea that the mind is influenced predominantly by external factors aligns with determinism, as it supports the notion that behavior and cognition are not the result of free will or innately determined characteristics but rather the outcomes of accumulated experiences. The belief in a blank slate, therefore, reinforces a deterministic view of human psychology, where experiences dictate knowledge and behavior, removing the influence of innate ideas or unrestrained choice.