Views of Views of Epistemology- Epistemology-

EmpiricismEmpiricism

EmpiricismEmpiricism EmpiricismEmpiricism- the - the

belief that all belief that all knowledge about the knowledge about the world comes from or world comes from or is based in the is based in the senses (experience)senses (experience)

A reaction to A reaction to rationalism; the rationalism; the human mind human mind contains nothing contains nothing except what except what experience has put experience has put therethere

Empiricist CartoonEmpiricist Cartoon

““a posteriori” Knowledge a posteriori” Knowledge ““a posteriori”- a posteriori”-

knowledge that knowledge that depends on depends on experience; stated in experience; stated in empirically verifiable empirically verifiable statements, uses statements, uses inductive reasoninginductive reasoning

Ex. The sky is blueEx. The sky is blue Underlies natural Underlies natural

science ex. science ex. Astronomy, Astronomy, chemistry, biology chemistry, biology

Empiricism in the EastEmpiricism in the East Nyaya (logic) Nyaya (logic)

philosophers of India-philosophers of India- stated there are other stated there are other valid sources of valid sources of knowledge besides knowledge besides sensory perception, but sensory perception, but all other sources all other sources ultimately depend on ultimately depend on the sensesthe senses

In reasoning we must In reasoning we must rely on knowledge that rely on knowledge that we acquired from we acquired from perception, which perception, which originates in the sensesoriginates in the senses

Other EmpiricistsOther Empiricists

Elements found in:Elements found in: AristotleAristotle St. Thomas St. Thomas

AquinasAquinas Sir Francis BaconSir Francis Bacon Thomas HobbesThomas Hobbes John LockeJohn Locke David Hume David Hume

John Locke the EmpiricistJohn Locke the Empiricist Locke claimed the Locke claimed the

mind is a blank slate mind is a blank slate on which experience on which experience makes its mark makes its mark ((tabula rasa)tabula rasa)

All knowledge has its All knowledge has its origins in the sensesorigins in the senses

Locke claims that Locke claims that our knowledge of our knowledge of things is really our things is really our knowledge of knowledge of ideas ideas of thingsof things

Primary vs. Secondary Primary vs. Secondary QualitiesQualities

Primary qualities-Primary qualities- can can be measured be measured objectively. They exist objectively. They exist whether we perceive whether we perceive them or not. (shape, them or not. (shape, number, size)number, size)

Secondary qualitiesSecondary qualities- - qualities that exist qualities that exist through observation; through observation; qualities that we qualities that we impose on an object impose on an object (colour, smell, texture). (colour, smell, texture). These qualities are These qualities are subjective, subjective, or mind-or mind-dependant. dependant.

George BerkeleyGeorge Berkeley