Knowledge Theories of Knowledge

Theories of Knowledge RATIONALISM EMPIRICISM SKEPTICISM TRANSCENDENTAL IDEALISM SCIENTISM  

Rationalism Epistemological theory that maintains knowledge can be gained through a priori (devoid of senses) means Reasoning as the only reliable source of knowledge Totally deductive Knowledge exists in the mind

Empiricism Knowledge gained through senses (a posteriori) – all thoughts must be experienced Experience and evidence as the source of knowledge The mind is a tabula rasa at birth. An object of experience has primary and secondary qualities (Locke, 1690) Fundamental to scientific method using observation and experiments as primary methods

Skepticism Perceptions are sensations that only exists in the mind. Physical objects don’t exist. (Barkely, 1710) Not much is known for certain – skepticism. The mind is a cohesive mass of swirling successive perceptions that happens somewhere undetermined (Hume, 1738)

Skepticism Avoid Statement of final truth Suspended judgment, systematic doubt, or criticism True knowledge is uncertain Propositions inquiry or assumption methodology arbitrariness, relativity, or subjectivity of values the limitations of knowledge,

Transcendental Idealism (Kant) Rules of thought – categories are necessary for understanding Human think with the structured brain that arrange, order and connect elements Two sources of knowledge receptive capacity - sensibility conceptual capacity – understanding Humans experience objects within space and time Concepts - products of human experience, cannot be experienced directly, but are organized to enable empirical concepts and judgments Is it even possible to know what is really real?

Scientism Science (natural) as an access to truth (knowledge) The sole authority in interpreting the universe. Total reliance on the scientific method using inductive methods as the only source of knowledge Science has no boundaries and all aspects of life can be explained through science.