empirico

Empirico is an Italian adjective meaning empirical: based on observation, experience, or data rather than theory. It is derived from the Latin empiricus, which in turn comes from the Greek empeiria, meaning experience. The related nouns are empirismo and the adverb empiricamente.

In philosophy, empirico describes a stance aligned with empiricism, the view that knowledge originates in sensory experience and that scientific theories should be validated by observation and experiment. It contrasts with rationalist or a priori approaches.

In science, the term is used to designate methods and results that are grounded in observed data. Phrases such as dati empirici (empirical data) and evidenza empirica (empirical evidence) reflect this emphasis on verifiable observation and experiment.

In medicine, a treatment may be termed empiric when it is chosen based on clinical experience and the most likely diagnosis before diagnostic results are available, a practice known as empiric therapy. Such decisions are refined as laboratory or imaging data become available.

Beyond medicine and philosophy, empirico also appears in everyday language to describe approaches, policies, or research designs that rely on real-world observation rather than purely theoretical models. Critics warn that empirical work must be carefully interpreted to avoid confounding factors and biases.

See also: empiricism; epistemology; empirical evidence; Italian language.