Will and Empiricism

The standard definition of 'Empiricism' is 'the theory that all Knowledge originates in the senses'. However, the etymological root of 'empirical' is 'to attempt', so, a more literal definition of it, as perhaps Dewey best understands, is 'the theory of experimental knowledge'. Now, every experiment is an active departure from antecedent conditions that both seeks new knowledge and puts established knowledge at risk. But, the experiential principle that exceeds the given, as has been discussed, is Will. Hence, Empiricism, properly conceived, originates in Will, in the modes of active motile processes, such as looking at, listening to, touching, etc., from which the passive 'senses' of traditional 'Empiricism' are abstracted.