Ancient Philosophical Influences Flashcards
Rationalism
The view that the primary source of knowledge is reason
Empiricism
Idea that observations via our senses lead us to understanding the world
Reason
Using logical thought in order to reach conclusions
A priori
Knowledge which is not dependant on experience
Can be known ‘prior’ to an experience
E.g triangles have 3 sides
Story of the Cave summary
Prisoners chained in a cave since birth, all they know exists is shadows projected onto a wall by fire.
If one day a prisoner was released and went outside, once his sight had adjusted he would realise that the outside world is real and inside the cave is just a shadow world.
If he were to return and attempt to pass on his knowledge he wouldn’t be believed and may be threatened with death
What do the prisoners symbolise in the story of the cave
Ordinary people
What does the cave symbolise in the story of the cave
Empirical world that we see and sense around us
What do the chains symbolise in the story of the cave
Senses that restrict the way we experience things
What do the shadows symbolise in the story of the cave
Our everyday sense experiences
What does the escapee symbolise in the story of the cave
Philosopher who is able to access knowledge
What does the difficult ascent symbolise in the story of the cave
Illustration that the road to philosophical knowledge is hard
What does the outside world symbolise in the story of the cave
The real world, world of the forms
What does the sun symbolise in the story of the cave
The highest of all forms, the form of the good
What does the return to the cave symbolise in the story of the cave
The philosopher once enlightened feels its his duty to free and educate others
What does the difficulty adjusting to the darkness symbolise in the story of the cave
Once the philosopher knows the truth, its difficult to experience things as an ordinary person does
