What are empiricism and rationalism?

Empiricism and rationalism are two philosophical currents that seek to explain human knowledge in different ways. While empiricism maintains that all knowledge comes from experience, rationalism defends that knowledge is acquired through reason and reflection.

Empiricism

Empiricism maintains that all knowledge comes from experience, and that we can only know what we have experienced. According to this school of thought, what we experience through our senses is the only reliable source of knowledge. For example, for an empiricist, the color red only exists because we have seen it previously.

Furthermore, empiricists believe that all human beings are born with a blank mind, like a kind of blank slate that is filled with the data we obtain throughout our lives. According to this theory, all our ideas come from our sensory perceptions and our experience. world.

In summary, empiricism affirms that experience is the only reliable source of knowledge, and that we can only know what we have experienced through our senses.

Examples of Empiricism

• If we want to know the flavor of an orange, we must try it
• Medicine is based on the observation of symptoms and experimentation to find a cure
• Science relies on observation and experimentation to make theories

Rationalism

Rationalism is based on the idea that knowledge comes from reason and reflection. According to this philosophical current, we can know the world and universal truths through reason and logic. They consider that the absolute truth is found in reason and not in experiences.

In this way, rationalists believe that there are certain truths that are innate to every human being, regardless of their experience. For example, according to this school of thought, all human beings are born with the idea that 2 + 2 = 4, or that an object cannot be in two places. at the same time.

In short, rationalism defends that we can only know the truth through reason and logic, independently of our sensory experiences.

Examples of Rationalism

• Mathematics is considered a rational science, since it is based on logic and reason.
• According to rationalism, all human beings are born with certain innate universal truths.
• Philosophy is considered a rational speculative science

Conclusion

In conclusion, empiricism and rationalism are two philosophical currents that seek to explain human knowledge in different ways. Empiricism maintains that all knowledge comes from experience, while rationalism defends that knowledge is acquired through reason and reflection. Both streams have their own strengths and limitations, and it is important to understand their differences to understand how we acquire knowledge and how we can use it. effectively.

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• Difference between naturalism and idealism
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