Rationalism and Empiricism
Essay title: Rationalism and Empiricism
“Rationalism and Empiricism”
The basic meaning of empiricism is its the philosophical belief that all knowledge develops from the experience of the senses. Rationalism is the belief that thought and action should be governed by reason. Most rationalists maintain merely that at least some truths are not known solely on the basis of sensory experience.
For example, Rene Descartes is a rationalist who believes that knowledge comes from the mind alone. His notion of knowledge begins with the question of absolute certainty. He arrived at the conclusion that there must be some type of a great deceiver, which guides an individual to a state of uncertainty. Descartes begins with details that indistinct feelings are likely to be affected by doubt and uncertainty. Furthermore, he attempted to cast doubt on distinct feelings. Descartes began by expressing that intimate awareness must be evident, in view of the fact that one is not insane, and only people who are considered to be incompetent would have no faith in what was right in front of their face. Descartes then draws attention to the argument of dreaming to cast suspicion on intimate feelings. He believed that dreams, which take place when we sleeping are as dynamic and as vibrant as reality when we are awake; so vivid in fact, that they cannot be distinguished from reality except upon later reflection. Additionally, he uses geometry and math as an example, because math, geometry, and the simple sciences are capable of being understood and proven through logic and reasoning. Rene Descartes goal was to find only those truths to him, which, exist as clear and distinct; an indestructible system of knowledge. This notion of knowledge strips away all information previously gleaned through the senses. Thus, Descartes is left with the sole existence of himself. Once stripped of all sensory information, the only being remaining is the mind. This mind, distinct from any physical property, exists in and of itself.
On the other hand, John Locke was an empiricist who believed that knowledge comes from experience, and he rejected the idea of natural thoughts. He believed that if we continuously have natural thoughts, recognizing them or understanding them is not feasible. He reasoned that if there were innate ideas then they would be common thoughts existing within all. He demonstrated that not all ideas were common and natural, by using children; he declared that everyone would possess them when they were born. Therefore, exhibiting that it is evident that children do not possess common thoughts.
He believed that the mind is bare canvas and those thoughts or ideas enter our minds through our senses; how we recognize and reflect. Locke believed the two manners in which ideas or thoughts enter our minds are through reflection and sensation. As a result, experience is achieved. Locke believes that everyone gains opinions through familiarity