Rationalism Vs Empiricism Flashcards
What is epistemology?
The study of how we can know things
Who was the major proponent of rationalism?
Plato
Who was the major proponent of empiricism?
Aristotle
Define reason
The ability of our conscious mind to think, understand and form logical judgements
Define sense experience
Also known as empiricism. The idea that all concepts are based on things we can experience. All rationally acceptable beliefs are justifiable only through experience
Who drew the distinction between analytic and synthetic statements?
Kant
What is an analytic statement?
A statement that is true by definition. You don’t need any empirical evidence to affirm the proposition. It is a statement where the predicate is always part of the subject.
What is a tautology?
A statement where you say the same thing twice using different words. All analytic statements are tautologies
What is a synthetic statement?
One that requires empirical evidence for affirmation or denial. You have to go beyond the subject and prove whether the predicate is true through sensory experience
Define rationalism
The idea that reason is the source of all knowledge
Define empiricism
The idea that all knowledge is a posteriori and must be derived from sensory experience
What is innate knowledge?
Knowledge programmed into the human mind without any sensory experience
What is tabula Rasa?
The idea that when you are born your mind is a blank slate as there is no such thing as innate knowledge
Define a priori
Literally means from the earlier. Knowledge that can be attained through reason alone, without sense experience
Define a posteriori
Literally means from the later. Knowledge gained from going out into the world and using our sens experience
