Radical Empiricism

Q.
Radical empiricist proclaim that nothing exists unless we can scientifically measure it and evaluate it. How important is this assumption in the scientific method? What are the strengths and weaknesses of this assumption? What ethical,philosophical, religious, and practical problems does this pose for science in our current world?
A.
Not sure you are representing Radical Empiricism fully or correctly. Does it deal with EVERYTHING? It would HAVE to deal with everything in order to proclaim that “nothing exists unless....”. You may want to read “The Meaning of Truth” by William James who is credited with creating radical empiricism. You can’t reduce an entire philosophical movement to one sentence.
“The postulate is that ‘the only things that shall be debatable among philosophers shall be things definable in terms drawn from experience’”. That statement by William James has to do with searching for the truth, not defining existence. This “truth” refers to a context which includes the physical world but does not necessarily extend beyond it.
The strengths and weaknesses of the alleged assumption you refer to depend on whether it is applied correctly to the areas and contexts for which it was intended. You may want to find out what those are. Are the postulates of empiricism intended for ethical and and religious application?
A question such as the one you sent us is intended for extensive study and research prior to expressing opinions. You can use a search engine with search phrases like “radical empiricism” to lead you to online articles and book references which you may find in your local library. Check:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radical_empiricism

http://www.philosophypages.com/hy/4t.htm

http://www.tektonics.org/guest/pslockhume.htm