Rationalism and Empiricism

Rationalism and Empiricism

            In philosophy we discussed two similar yet very different arguments that attempt to convey where our thoughts and ideas originate. The first idea presented is Empiricism. Empiricism is the thought that we are all born with innate ideas. Which means all of our understanding and knowledge comes merely from and through experience. The second idea is Rationalism. Rationalism is the idea that much of our ideas as well as thought can be innate, or we were simply born with them. From my perspective I strongly agree with empiricism. I feel no individual was solely born innate. Everyone builds there knowledge and ideas through experience. To back myself up as well as the theory of empiricism I took the example that was presented to us about the candle wax. In this illustration Descartes claims that one cannot tell the difference or know the relation between a candle and a puddle of wax unless we innately know that. But as individuals we know that when a candle is burning it melts into a puddle of wax, and we know this fact because of the experience we have had watching a candle burn. There is now other way or form we can tell that a candle is the same as a puddle of wax unless we have experienced it. If the candle were to be presented to someone similar to the individuals in the cave allegory, meaning someone who has just been exposed to the world, they would have no idea that a candle and a puddle of wax is the same exact thing. Unless they were to experience this then they would know it’s the same material.

            Explanatory Breadth: The theory of empiricism conveys a whole lot more than merely Rationalism. Rationalism stands for emotions, feelings, and instinct. These are not primarily taken upon as ideas. Ideas come through experience, which simply proves the fact that no idea is innate. Empiricism can give ideas that may include feelings, emotions, and instinct but even then it comes from experience.

            Explanatory Depth: When attempting to prove an argument or idea right it must be backed up. In this case rationalism does not do that. It claim ideas are innate but does mention how so. As opposed to empiricism, empiricism claims all ideas and knowledge come from experience and explains that further with the use of Descartes theory of the candle and the puddle of wax.

            Simplicity: When compared to empiricism, rationalism is more simplistic because it contains fewer parts as well as ideas. This is because rationalism only conveys that all ideas are innate. As opposed to empiricism which explains where all ideas as well as thoughts originate from and that no one idea or thought is merely innate but much more than that. This is the reason why empiricism is much more compound idea.

            Conservatism: Rationalism as well as empiricism both still exist in our world today. They happen to both be believed in by individuals which make both theories conservative.

1

     1. Empiricism and Rationalism are two theories that thoroughly explain the origin of knowledge.

2   2.  Empiricism contains much more explanatory depth, explanatory breath, and simplicity while they are both equally conservative.

3   3. Therefore empiricism is the best explanation for the origin of knowledge.