Rationalism

Question 1

What is rationalism? [1 mark]

Answer 1

Rationalism is a philosophical idea that knowledge comes from reason/logic and we are born with knowledge.

Question 2

Hypatia was a rationalist. Explain how she was similar to Plato. [2 marks]

Answer 2

Hypatia was a strong believer of greek philosophy and was around in the 3rd century. She was what we call a “Neoplatonist” which literally means a new Plato. Plato was a rationalist therefore so was Hypatia.

Question 3

Rene Descartes was a rationalist. Explain in depth his key philosophical idea. [4 marks]

Answer 3

Descartes was a French philosopher whose key idea was the “Three Waves of Doubt”. Descartes believed that what we think we know, might not be true and he challenged the reliability of any claim, and in turn created the waves of doubt. The first wave of doubt is Illusion, meaning that our senses can deceive us. Secondly, Dreams - we cannot trust our reality because may be dreaming. And finally, the last wave of doubt is The Evil Demon; the idea we could be controlled by a demon who lies about our reality.

Question 4

What famous phrase did Descartes say? [1 mark]

Answer 4

Cogito ergo sum = I think, therefore I am

Question 5

What is philosophical scepticism? [1 mark]

Answer 5

Scepticism is based around the concept of questions and challenging the reliability of any claim/assumption.