Epistemology: 08. Rationalism Recap Flashcards
What is Rationalism?
The idea that some pieces of synthetic knowledge are knowable by a priori means, such as innate ideas or intuition and deduction hypothesis.
What is Empiricism?
The idea that all synthetic knowledge starts in the senses.
Explain Plato’s Slave Boy Argument.
Socrates engages a slave boy in discussion, drawing out a mathematical proof through questioning, suggesting that knowledge is innate and recalled.
What do modern-day innatists argue about innate ideas?
Innate ideas may develop at certain ages, similar to how mental traits develop over time.
What criteria must innate ideas meet according to John Locke?
- From Birth
- Universal
- Be or have been conscious of
How does Leibniz counter Locke’s argument about innate ideas?
Leibniz argues that knowledge can be unconscious and innate ideas might be those unconscious principles that cannot be gained from experience.
What is the intuition/deduction thesis?
It claims that some propositions are knowable by intuition only, while others are knowable by being deducted from intuited propositions.
Define intuition.
A form of rational insight where any idea is true clearly and distinctly.
Define deduction.
A form of inference where the premises entail the conclusion.
What are clear and distinct ideas?
- Clear: Present, accessible to the attentive mind.
- Distinct: Every part is clear, sharply separated from other ideas.
What is Descartes’ famous statement, ‘Cogito Ergo Sum’?
I think, therefore I am.
What is the Trademark Argument?
The idea that the concept of ‘perfect’ cannot come from an imperfect being, implying the existence of a perfect being.
What does the Cosmological Argument assert?
Something must keep me in existence, leading to the conclusion of an uncaused thing, which is God.
Explain the Ontological Argument.
God is a supremely perfect being, and existence is a perfection; therefore, God must exist.
What does Descartes say about the proof of the external world?
Physical objects are extended things that persevere through sensory changes, and their existence is not produced by the mind.
What is the Cartesian Circle?
The circular reasoning that clear and distinct ideas come from God, who exists because we have a clear and distinct idea of Him.
True or False: Descartes believes that clear and distinct ideas can be trusted because they are derived from God.
True
Fill in the blank: According to Locke, the mind is a _______.
tabula rasa
What is the main issue with any argument by Descartes?
The possibility of circular reasoning.
