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Lecture 11: Rationalism

Lecture 11: Rationalism. Today’s Lecture. In Today’s lecture we will: Begin our investigation into a new topic: The Theory of Knowledge (Epistemology) Briefly outline the theory of Skepticism Inspect and assess the theory of knowledge known as Rationalism

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Lecture 11: Rationalism

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  1. Lecture 11: Rationalism

  2. Today’s Lecture • In Today’s lecture we will: • Begin our investigation into a new topic: The Theory of Knowledge (Epistemology) • Briefly outline the theory of Skepticism • Inspect and assess the theory of knowledge known as Rationalism • Outline and Critique two theories of Rationalism: • Plato’s Rationalism • Descartes’ Rationalism

  3. Topic 3: Epistemology

  4. What is Epistemology? • Theory of Knowledge • Epistemology is the investigation into Knowledge • Key questions include: • What is knowledge? • What is the difference between opinion and knowledge? • Does knowledge require certainty? • What are the limits of knowledge? • Is knowledge in fact possible? Epistemology

  5. Kinds of Theories of Knowledge Skepticism Absolute skepticism: The theory that there can no such thing as knowledge. Pluralism/Postmodernism: There are no absolute Truths, only a plurality of perspectives. Each is as valid and valuable as any other. Rationalism (Inside-Out) The theory that we know certain things independently of all experience by virtue of our reason Empiricism (Outside-In) The theory that everything we know comes entirely from experience and the five senses Both/And? Do we need both empiricism and rationalism together? Epistemology

  6. The Key Dilemma: • Either: • We possess some knowledge and ideas through reason alone. Independently of experience. (Rationalism) • Or: • All knowledge and ideas are derived through the senses and from sense experience • Or do we need to recognize that we need both? Epistemology

  7. Discussion Activity Where did you learn it? How did you learn it (Experience or Reason?) How do you know that this knowledge is True/False? Could it turn out that you are wrong/right? Will we all agree on the same things? Epistemology

  8. Epistemology Theories we have already outlined: Plato There are some ideas we possess without being taught them Descartes We possess immediate and innate ideas Locke Ideas and knowledge come entirely through sense experience Berkeley Everything we know comes to us through the senses (thanks to God)

  9. Rationalism

  10. Advocates of Rationalism maintain the following: • There are some things we know independently of experience • Such knowledge results from our faculty of Reason • Experience is important but not the only way we gain knowledge • Key Question: • Do we possess ideas or knowledge independently of experience? • For example how do we know whether the following are true? • Bachelors are unmarried men • 2+2=4 • A triangle is a three sided closed shape Rationalism

  11. 2+2=4 Rationalism Ooohtheres an apple! A Priori Independent of senses Universal Certain A Posteriori Derived from sense experience Specific Not certain

  12. Descartes

  13. Descartes How can we be sure that what we see is the Truth? Problem Our senses can (and often do) deceive us So how can we trust any knowledge which comes from our senses? Which line is longest?

  14. Descartes The search for certainty Mathematics do provide us with certain knowledge: Mathematical knowledge is not derived from the senses Mathematical knowledge is beyond dispute Its truth can be demonstrated 2+2=4 Mathematical truths are discovered through Reason Alone

  15. Descartes • The Foundation of Knowledge • Descartes attempted to apply the mathematical method (using reason alone) to philosophy • He attempted to use reason alone to find one thing which is absolutely certain (beyond doubt, beyond dispute, not derived from the senses) • The criterion of such knowledge is Clarity and Distinctness • Once found, Descartes hoped to use intuition and deduction to find further certainty. • To find this one certainty Descartes proceeds by employing systematic (Cartesian) doubt

  16. Descartes’ Theory of Knowledge • Knowledge derived from reason alone is certain. • Knowledge derived from the senses is open to error and can be wrong • Certain Knowledge of the external world requires reason • There are two principle modes of Reason: • Intuition • Knowledge immediately derived from the mind alone • Deduction • Allows us to expand knowledge derived from intuition Descartes

  17. Descartes’ Geometrical Method Descartes Intuition I think therefore I am I have knowledge of perfection Deduction I can be certain I exist I can be certain that Mental substance exists This knowledge could not come from experience Therefore knowledge of God is innate God is perfect Therefore God would not deceive me I can be certain that matter exists

  18. Plato’s Rationalism

  19. Plato’s Theory of Knowledge Everything we know through the senses is merely opinion and not True knowledge The only thing that can Truly be known is Being (Forms) Being can only be known rationally or in death Some ideas are innate and can only be “recollected” Innate ideas were attained by our souls before we were born Plato

  20. Plato Epistemology(Thought) Metaphysics (Objects) D C B A Higher Forms Understanding Being(Intelligible World) Knowledge Mathematical Forms Reason Sensible Objects Perception Opinion Becoming (Visible World) Images Imagination

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