Sam Elzoul
October 13, 2014
Rationalism
& Empiricism
I think the debate between rationalism and empiricism is to find out which theory was the best way to find out where are ideas came from also which theory is more useful to us. I think that rationalism
would be the better of the two because I think it’s more plausible than
empiricism. The reason why I think rationalism is more plausible than
empiricism is because rationalism ideas are innate where empiricism comes from experience. I say rationalism because we are so used to doing and seeing stuff that we just automatically know what to do without experience. Like for instance falling of an object we immediately put our hands up without thinking and just doing it with instinct. Empiricism bases it's information of experience but lets say you fell for the first time and haven't seen anyone fall before how would you know what to do. Also creating TV show how were people suppose to learn that from experience and come with the dialog and characters that's all rationalism because no one has experienced it before and nether have the people making the new TV show.
A. Yes I believe that rationalism explains more ideas than
empiricism. For instance Rationalism ideas come naturally like painting a picture an artist uses his mind to create a picture but doesn't have experience of drawing that picture before or how to draw it. Empiricism fails to express creativity from a person's mind.
B. Rationalism does not explain the origin of more ideas
than empiricism does. Because Rationalism yes it has explanatory depth but we learn more from experience. Which is why empiricism is more useful because there's a lot of stuff we wouldn't know how to do if we did not see or do it ourselves. For example shots like flu shots, hepatitis shots etc without research how would we know whether to give you the shot or not and what are the symptoms of the shot when you get it. From the research we found out how and when would be an acceptable time to get the shots from testing it on animals for research.
C. Yes one theory does have fewer parts which is less likely
for errors and that is rationalism. The other theory empiricism uses
experiments and knowledge from the experiments to provide the ideas. But
sometimes the experiments are wrong or there prior knowledge isn’t right. Which is why I believe rationalism would benefit more because it's natural information which everyone knows and is right no matter what. For example the math problem 5 + 5 =10 the answer to this will never change 5+5 will always equal 10 no matter what.
D. Rationalism is more consistent with our current common
beliefs. It is more consistent with our religious beliefs. The reason why is
because it is also based on prior knowledge and opinion just like how it is
today.
1. Rationalism and
Empiricism are the most plausible explanations of current beliefs and ideas.
2. Rationalism and
empiricism are both equally conservative. But rationalism is just a little more
conservative
3.Therefore rationalism
is the best explanation of our current beliefs and knowledge of ideas.
I have to disagree with your examples of innate 'when you used the example of falling for the first time and knowing to get up is more instinctual than an idea. The argument is that whether 'ideas' are innate or come by experiences. "Like for instance falling of an object we immediately put our hands up without thinking and just doing it with instinct" maybe you should not have used this example for once again its more of an instinct and not an idea. Regarding explanatory breadth you said that empiricism does not explain creativity but it actually does. You used the example of a painter painting things, many painters uses their experience of thing in life and their sense to paint. For example famous painter Vincent Van Gogh created an original concept, an original idea of his most famous painting 'starry night' from his interpretation of sky at night. Therefore empiricism actually explains creativity.
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