Quiz 3 2nd Time Flashcards
epistemology
Chief Philosophical concern
“How does the human mind ‘learn?’”
“How does it come to ‘know?’”
rationalism
Self-evident propositions deduced by reason are the sole basis of all knowledge
Cartesian dualism
• Mind-body bifurcation (split). ○ Mind can operate without the senses. ○ Rationality/ reason = mind ○ Senses = body • Ramistic influence • Rhetoric has no epistemic value • Rhetoric does not produce "knowledge"
empiricism
the theory that all knowledge is derived from sense-experience.
tabula rasa
• Tabula rasa = blank slate
○ We’re all born like this. No preexisting knowledge
sensus communis
common sense
Rene Descartes
• Descartes (1596-1650)
• French nobleman, mathematician, philosopher
○ “Father of Modern Rationalism”
• Rejected rhetoric (sensory based)
• Descartes problem with the senses is that its easy to be deceived by them
John Locke
• English epistemologist and political philosopher
• Empiricist
• Tabula rasa = blank slate
○ We’re all born like this. No preexisting knowledge
○ Thomas Jefferson
• Direct observation, experience is the sole basis of all knowledge
Giovanni Battista (or Giambattista) Vico
• Taught rhetorical studies at the university of naples (1699-1741)
• Very anti-cartesianism
○ Mathematical proofs are
§ Reliant on symbols
§ Based on acceptance of axioms used for proof
○ A purely rational society?
§ Emotions and judgment
§ Aristotle and the rationality of human emotions
○ What is the basis of civilization: cartesian reason or rhetoric?
§ Answer: rhetoric
Thomas Sheridan
○ A gifted actor
○ Emphasized vocals and physical aspects
○ Need to define language much more broadly. Criticize Locke:
“[Language is] Any way or method whatsoever, by which al that passes in the mind of one man, may be manifested.”
Gilbert Austin
○ Author of Chironomia
○ Mechanical system of notation for choreographing speeches
○ Emphasized physical delivery
Descartes’ famous quotation that (he thought) proved his existence
• Cogito, ergo sum = “I think. Therefore I am.”
Locke’s descriptions/criticisms of language/rhetoric
• “An Essay concerning Human Understanding” (1690)
• Sensation is universal. Eloquence is not.
• Ideas (reflections on sensations)
• Words/language (sings of ideas)
• “no man’s knowledge here can go beyond his experience.”
• Rhetoric
○ It is a “perfect cheat”
○ “That powerful instrument of error and deceit.”
○
The language of logic
• Certain? Or impperfect?
Sheridan’s definition of “language.”
“[Language is] Any way or method whatsoever, by which al that passes in the mind of one man, may be manifested.”
The primary European countries in which the Enlightenment movement took place
England, France, United States, Scotland