Explanatory breadth: in this criteria, Empiricism takes the win. Explanatory breadth is about which idea can explain more about the origins than the other. Empiricism claims that all knowledge is gained through experience; clearly in that case, the origin is experience. Rationalism states that some ideas are innate, while some are learned from experience; so in this case, the origin of some knowledge is experience, but there is no way to explain how someone would be born with the same knowledge on the subject.
Explanatory depth: this is how well an argument explains its sources. In this case, no side clearly states the source of knowledge, but Empiricism does a better job at it. Rationalism can only say that some ideas we are born with, but cannot state how or where the knowledge came from. Empiricism can say that knowledge was gained from a certain experience, but not the source that taught the knowledge through that experience.
Simplicity: this means that whatever argument makes less assumptions and dubious statements, is simpler. In the case of Rationalism vs Empiricism, it is very obvious that Empiricism is simpler. By saying that all knowledge is gained through experience, it makes less assumptions and is more easily related to by the reader. Rationalism says that some ideas are innate, but without proof, that is just an assumption. Empiricism is simpler because it can be proved that experience brings knowledge.
Conservatism: how well an argument agrees with current society's beliefs. In my opinion, both of these arguments are just as equally accepted by today's people, so it cannot be said which is more conservative.
1. Empiricism and Rationalism are the most plausible explanations of the origin of knowledge.
2. Empiricism has much more explanatory depth and breadth, and simplicity, whereas Rationalism has a little more conservatism.
3. Therefore, Empiricism is the best explanation of the origin of knowledge.
Very good post! I believe your argument to refute Descartes claim was very strong. One thing I would improve on is refuting the actual claim of Rationalism
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