Views of Epistemology- Empiricism

Empiricism Empiricism- the belief that all knowledge about the world comes from or is based in the senses (experience) Empiricism- the belief that all knowledge about the world comes from or is based in the senses (experience) A reaction to rationalism; the human mind contains nothing except what experience has put there A reaction to rationalism; the human mind contains nothing except what experience has put there

Empiricist Cartoon

“a posteriori” Knowledge “a posteriori”- knowledge that depends on experience; stated in empirically verifiable statements, uses inductive reasoning “a posteriori”- knowledge that depends on experience; stated in empirically verifiable statements, uses inductive reasoning Ex. The sky is blue Ex. The sky is blue Underlies natural science ex. Astronomy, chemistry, biology Underlies natural science ex. Astronomy, chemistry, biology

Empiricism in the East Nyaya (logic) philosophers of India- stated there are other valid sources of knowledge besides sensory perception, but all other sources ultimately depend on the senses Nyaya (logic) philosophers of India- stated there are other valid sources of knowledge besides sensory perception, but all other sources ultimately depend on the senses In reasoning we must rely on knowledge that we acquired from perception, which originates in the senses In reasoning we must rely on knowledge that we acquired from perception, which originates in the senses

Other Empiricists Elements found in: Aristotle Aristotle St. Thomas Aquinas St. Thomas Aquinas Sir Francis Bacon Sir Francis Bacon Thomas Hobbes Thomas Hobbes John Locke John Locke David Hume David Hume

John Locke the Empiricist Locke claimed the mind is a blank slate on which experience makes its mark (tabula rasa) Locke claimed the mind is a blank slate on which experience makes its mark (tabula rasa) All knowledge has its origins in the senses All knowledge has its origins in the senses Locke claims that our knowledge of things is really our knowledge of ideas of things Locke claims that our knowledge of things is really our knowledge of ideas of things

Primary vs. Secondary Qualities Primary qualities- can be measured objectively. They exist whether we perceive them or not. (shape, number, size) Primary qualities- can be measured objectively. They exist whether we perceive them or not. (shape, number, size) Secondary qualities- qualities that exist through observation; qualities that we impose on an object (colour, smell, texture). These qualities are subjective, or mind-dependant. Secondary qualities- qualities that exist through observation; qualities that we impose on an object (colour, smell, texture). These qualities are subjective, or mind-dependant.

George Berkeley