Empiricism

Bacon believed that it was only through observation, experience and experimentation that knowledge can be derived from laying the foundation for empiricism . Where as Descartes seemed to rely more on logical reasoning and rationality to systematically doubt knowledge and understanding, emphasizing Cartesian rationalism . Empiricists believe that innate knowledge does not exist, rather, knowledge is…

Forging the Partial Narrative: The Causatum of the Human Historian History is a truly fascinating concept. It is a recorded truth; an inevitable phenomenon that remains dormant until acted upon; exhumed by the discerning historian to forge a coherent narrative. This historical construct, however, is subject to the personal biases and interpretation of a single human individual whose views are shaped by upbringing and a unique life experience. Alexander Pope’s age-old adage, to err is human, is…

contrary opinions suggesting that the universal forms were hardly attached to either concept or object and that the analysis of each object or concept was to be conducted individually (Hakim 356). The above viewpoint established the Aristotelian empiricism. Plato in his philosophy insisted that the qualities of an object would be determined via experiments and reasoning that would be sufficient to prove the…

Thomas Neubauer Dr. Pratt HU141 February 10, 2015 The Revival of Classicism and Rise to Humanism The Renaissance was a period that lasted from the fourteenth century to the seventeenth century, and was hallmarked with its advancements in Art, Music, Science, and the introduction of Secularism and Humanism. The period can trace its roots back to Italy, which was made up of several city states, from these city states, the Renaissance expanded into northern Europe, where the ideas flourished and…

In philosophy there are many stands to take when it comes to a view of topic shared and discovered by many. Specifically, there are three philosophers that have differing ideas on the role of pleasure in morality, Aristotle, Kant, and Mill. They share and clarify their positions through a plethora of titles and information that will help a reader gain a better understanding of the role of pleasure in morality. Though each philosopher has their own share of ideas of what the highest good…

vulnerabilities. The last applicable feminist approach is the postmodern, or post-positivist approach in which academics critique the concepts, frameworks, and criteria of the mainstream IR discipline (Wibben, pg. 100). This approach is critical of ‘feminist empiricism’ and argues that it provides a limited study into IR. While there are flaws to the arguments of postmodern feminists’ arguments, the role of studying masculinity and men in relation to re-contextualized understandings of power,…

Perhaps one of the most influential books in western philosophy, Meditations on First Philosophy, written by René Descartes, was first published in 1641. Descartes was a French rationalist, born in the 17th century. He is famously known by his contributions to the field of epistemology, mainly through his book. In Meditations, Descartes decides to put into question all of his previous knowledge, in order to determine what is false and dubious, and what is undoubtedly true. The book is divided…

Science and technology have always been necessary for the advancements of nation-states throughout history. Additionally both science and technology play extensive roles in the progression of the Enlightenment, the Industrial Revolution and World War I and II. In the Enlightenment science and technology helped establish the heliocentric theory, Newton’s laws of motion and the law of gravitation. The Industrial Revolution focused on the transition from wood to metal and farming to…

As a young boy, Sawyer witnesses a posse of local white people hang his father, whip and rape his mother and sister, and bash in the brains of his two baby twin brothers. Sawyer escapes and is taken in by a black planter named Beaubean in the next township over. As Sawyer continues, inadvertently revealing Sappho’s mysterious past, the audience has a deep bodily response and “cries” and “groans” (257). “Sobs shook the women, while the men drank in the words of the speaker with darkening brows…

Introduction Voltaire is one of the greatest philosophers and he was born in Francois- Marie Arouet in the year 1694. After a while, he interacted with various British philosophers who introduced him to enlightenment. In his works, he greatly considered Newton, Francis Bacon, and Locke as his heroes. It is evident that the philosopher greatly appreciated the liberal free society had been developed in England and its ideas greatly spread over the land. Additionally, the philosopher was greatly…