Key Terms Flashcards
Dualism
A philosophical view that sees mental phenomena as seperate from physical phenomena; separate body and soul
Empiricism
A theory that all knowledge is based on experience derived from the senses
Rationalism
Way of thinking that believes knowledge is obtained through reasoning; usually through deductive reasoning based on innate knowledge
Positivism
A philosophical system recognising only that which can be scientifically verified
Animism
Explanations of the workings of the world and the universe by means of spirits with human-like characteristics
Axiom
Self evident truths obtained through observation and intuition
Syllogism
A form of deductive reasoning where you arrive at a specific conclusion by examining two other premises or ideas
e.g.
All men are mortal
Aristotle is a man
Aristotle is mortal
Deduction
A form of reasoning that starts with indisputable premises from which new, true conclusions can be drawn if the rules of logic are followed, it gives us certainty
Induction
A form of reasoning that starts with observations and tries to reach general conclusions on the basis of convergence of observations
Abduction
A type of interference which varies from the other two (deduction and induction)
Based on coming up with the best explanation, it provides new knowledge but is also non-conclusive
Introspection
A research technique in psychology developed by Wundt
Looking at oneself and examining and reflecting upon personal thoughts and emotions
Gestalt psychology
Evolutionary theory
Idealism
Human knowledge is a construction of the mind…
Realism
Truth of knowledge determined by correspondence with the real world
