Navigating Through Fog: Why Adaptive Thinking Is Rooted in Constructive Empiricism

Imagine you're piloting a boat through dense fog.
You can’t see the final destination, just the next few markers.

So, you move slowly. You adjust course based on what you observe. You make decisions without waiting for perfect clarity.

That’s the essence of adaptive thinking.

It’s not about having a full map. It’s about moving forward with what you can see, learning as you go, and changing course when needed.

What Is Empiricism and Why Does It Matter?

In philosophy and science, empiricism is the idea that knowledge comes from observation and experience.

Instead of starting with assumptions or theories, empiricists begin with what can be seen, tested, and measured.

It’s a way of thinking that puts evidence first. And in fast-changing environments, that mindset becomes essential.

You’ve probably heard that “we need to be more empirical.” But what does that really mean? And why should you care?

Most people think of empiricism as data and experimentation. But there’s a deeper layer—a philosophy called constructive empiricism that can change the way you lead, build, teach, and adapt.

Why the Type of Empiricism You Use Matters

In a world of information overload and rapid change, how we approach knowledge shapes everything: how we problem-solve, make decisions, and respond to uncertainty.

It’s not just about what we know. It’s about how we know and what we’re willing to act on when the future is unclear.

That’s where constructive empiricism comes in.

There Are Many Types of Empiricism. Some Are More Useful in Complexity.

Empiricism isn’t one thing. There’s classical empiricism. Logical empiricism. Scientific empiricism.

All valuable, but not all equally helpful in fast-moving, unpredictable environments.

Constructive empiricism, developed by philosopher Bas van Fraassen, offers a way forward.

“Science aims to give us theories which are empirically adequate; and acceptance of a theory involves as belief only that it is empirically adequate.”¹

Put simply: we don’t need perfect truth. We need something good enough to explain what we can observe so we can take the next step.

The Five Key Properties of Constructive Empiricism

1. Empirical Adequacy
   A theory doesn’t need to be absolutely true. It just needs to reliably explain what we can observe.

2. Observables vs. Unobservables
   We prioritize what can be seen and measured, while acknowledging that unobservables might still exist.

3. Acceptance vs. Belief
   You can accept a theory as useful without fully believing every part of it, especially what can’t be observed.

4. Agnosticism about Unobservables
   We don’t deny things we can’t see, but we also don’t build decisions around them.

5. Pragmatic Implications
   We use models and data that are good enough to act on, even if they aren’t perfect.

This mindset gives you permission to act without knowing everything. It turns “I’m not sure yet” into “I know enough to begin.”

Why Constructive Empiricism Helps You Move Forward

In complex environments, waiting for certainty is a trap. It slows teams, delays progress, and leads to endless planning.

Constructive empiricism gives you a better way to think and work.

It helps you:

1. Embrace uncertainty
   You act based on what’s visible and learn along the way.

2. Act pragmatically
   You prioritize what’s useful over what’s ideal.

3. Adapt as you go
   You make changes without feeling like you’re starting over.

4. Stay efficient
   You avoid wasting time chasing perfect knowledge.

The Power of 'Good Enough'

Let’s clear something up.
“Adequate” doesn’t mean settling. It means confident enough to take the next step.

Imagine two teams:

Team A delays for months, trying to build the perfect solution.
Team B releases a small version, gets feedback, and adjusts quickly.

Which one delivers more value over time?
Which one learns faster?

Adequacy isn’t a compromise. It’s a compass.

We’re not avoiding uncertainty. We’re learning to navigate it.

Small Steps, Big Impact

Breaking your work into small, testable moves isn’t just a tactic. It’s a way of thinking.

Each step helps you:

• Reduce risk

• Learn something real

• Make better decisions

• Adjust direction as needed

Every small move is a question.
Reality gives you an answer.
You respond and move forward again.

What About Things You Can't See?

Not everything can be observed. But that doesn’t mean you stop moving.

You act based on what’s visible. You acknowledge the unknown. You adapt.

It’s like sailing. You can’t see the wind, but you can read the water.

That’s what empirical thinking looks like in motion.

Become an Empirical Explorer

Constructive empiricism isn’t just a philosophy class topic.
It’s a mindset for people doing real work in real uncertainty—educators, builders, product teams, leaders.

Here’s how to begin:

• Embrace adequacy. Ask what’s good enough to move.

• Take small steps. Learn as you go.

• Focus on observables. Work with what’s in front of you.

• Stay flexible. Let learning guide the plan.

• Dance with uncertainty. It’s part of the process.

Our world never stops changing, our ability to learn quickly and act confidently is a superpower.

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Agile and Scrum aren’t just tools. They are ways to apply constructive empiricism.
They help you take action in complexity, using what you can observe, test, and learn.

If you want to go beyond the mechanics and understand the deeper "why" behind these frameworks, start here:

👉 Certified ScrumMaster (CSM)
👉 Certified Scrum Product Owner (CSPO)
👉 Agile Classrooms Teacher Certification (ACT)

These courses don’t just teach process.
They teach a mindset for moving forward in uncertainty,

Footnotes
¹ van Fraassen, Bas C. (1980). The Scientific Image. Oxford University Press.
² Chakravartty, A. (2017). "Scientific Realism and Antirealism", Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/constructive-empiricism