sensationalism

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition

1. n. The use of sensational matter or methods, especially in writing, journalism, or politics.
2. n. Sensational subject matter.
3. n. Interest in or the effect of such subject matter.
4. n. Philosophy The theory that sensation is the only source of knowledge.
5. n. The ethical doctrine that feeling is the only criterion of good.

Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia

1. n. In philosophy, the theory or doctrine that all our ideas are solely derived through our senses or sensations; sensualism.
2. n. Sensational writing or language; the presentation of matters or details of such a nature or in such a manner as to thrill the reader or to gratify vulgar curiosity: as, the sensationalism of the press.

Wiktionary

1. n. The use of sensational subject matter, style or methods, or the sensational subject matter itself; behavior, published materials, or broadcasts that are intentionally controversial, exaggerated, lurid, loud, or attention-grabbing. Especially applied to news media in a pejorative sense that they are reporting in a manner to gain audience or notoriety but at the expense of accuracy and professionalism.
2. n. philosophy A theory of philosophy that all knowledge is ultimately derived from the senses.

GNU Webster's 1913

1. n. (Metaph.) The doctrine held by Condillac, and by some ascribed to Locke, that our ideas originate solely in sensation, and consist of sensations transformed; sensualism; -- opposed to intuitionalism, and rationalism.
2. n. The practice or methods of sensational writing or speaking.

WordNet 3.0

1. n. (philosophy) the doctrine that knowledge derives from experience
2. n. subject matter that is calculated to excite and please vulgar tastes
3. n. the journalistic use of subject matter that appeals to vulgar tastes
4. n. (philosophy) the ethical doctrine that feeling is the only criterion for what is good