Rationalism And Empiricism

Question 1

Epistemology

Answer 1

The Study of Knowledge

Question 2

Rationalism

Answer 2

Way of thought focusing on reason and logic entirely. One can only know what one can deduct rationally. Opposite of Empiricism

Question 3

Empiricism

Answer 3

The view that all knowledge comes about from sensory experience of the world around us. It also states that we are born as a blank slate (‘tabula rasa’) and that we learn through touch, sight, hearing and smell as we get older.

Question 4

Renee Descartes (1596 - 1650)

Answer 4

Believed that all empirical evidence (evidence gathered through the senses) must be doubted since we can never be sure that we are being tricked or not. Came up with the famous phrase: ‘cogito ergo sum’ - I think, therefore I am.

Question 5

A priori

Answer 5

Relating to reasoning or knowledge which stems from theoretical and logical deduction (deductive reasoning) rather than empirical observation or experience.

Question 6

Deductive logic

Answer 6

Drawing valid inferences from a set of logical premises which move towards a logically sound and necessary conclusion.

Question 7

A posteriori

Answer 7

Knowledge deduced from experience and known fact, which leads to a probable outcome.

Question 8

Inductive logic

Answer 8

Where a set of premises lead to a conclusion that is only probable.

Question 9

Analytical thinking

Answer 9

Utilises a priori evidence and deductive logic to lead to an outcome which cannot not be true.

Question 10

Syllogism

Answer 10

A sort of logical argument that applies deductive reasoning to arrive at a conclusion based on two propositions that are asserted to be true.