Propelling Rational Thought Over Compelling Empiricism

Propelling Rational Thought over Compelling Empiricism Aaron Nicely Intro to Philosophy 02-09-2016 In this paper I intend to examine the rationalist philosophy of Rene Descartes and fundamental empiricism of John Locke’s philosophical arguments, in particular their ideas relating to the science of man, his identity and attempt to explain distinctions between the two. As I lay the framework of my argument it is important to understand the precepts that serve as the underpinning for the views considered by Descartes and Locke respectively. Rationalism and empiricism are two modes of thought that have been adopted within epistemology, the branch of philosophy devoted to studying the nature, sources and limits of knowledge. In fact, other than the ties to epistemology the two schools of thought are very plainly much like Descartes and Locke, the direct opposite of each other. Rationalism is the belief or theory that opinions and actions should be based on reason and knowledge rather than on religious belief or emotional response. Empiricism on the other hand is the theory tha t all knowledge is derived from sense-experience. Stimulated by the rise of experimental science, it developed in the 17th and 18th centuries, expounded in particular by John Locke. While John Locke convincingly asserts and defends the empiricist’s belief that sense perception is the main source of knowledge and thereby personal identity. My views regarding consciousness and self are inShow MoreRelatedCMNS 304 Notes Essay5778 Words   |  24 Pagesturns around and goes backwards (What’s going on now? The murder) Hitchcock is leaving you with your own imagination. When the camera track’s back, you imagine what is going on behind the windows â€Å"Tree† we imagine through our own experiences and thoughts Hitchcock is taking us through different everyday lives, leaves us to imagine horrific events.. Then back to everyday lives. WE ARE THEN left with fear Hitchcock wants us to be afraid of the unknown that we make fear, fearful He wants us to be