... reason or experience. Two branches within epistemology are rationalism and empiricism. They differ regarding their knowledge basis; the source of their concepts and ideas. Rationalism and empiricism are very plainly the direct opposite of each other. Rationalism is the belief in innate ideas, reason, and the process of deduction. Empiricism is the belief in sense perception, induction, and that there are no innate ideas. Rationalists rely on ... reason can be developed from experience. One is "relations of ideas", or things such as mathematics and logic, which can be considered certain ...

• Word Count: 1498
• Approx Pages: 6
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

... on experience. Descartes believes that knowledge is built up with a strong foundation. It is beliefs based on other beliefs, but on the bottom is a firm foundation of belief. It doesnt appeal to the senses and the use of pure reason to get knowledge is a necessity. The Cogito Argument provides the foundation for knowledge, I think, therefore I am (Descartes p.202).The Cogito is ... reason. If youre careful with your senses and reasoning, you can justify science. Descartes is able to build the body of knowledge in a foundational way that gives order and justification. Lockes empiricist a...

• Word Count: 1055
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: High School

... mind is held to have reality. Belief is therefore the mental state of cognizing that reality. The human mind, our very own, at the very fundamental level works by way of the stimuli received by our nerves and senses and conveyed to it by the neurons by virtue of which it processes these receptions in line with our own mode of reasoning and it is indeed here that the ... true glory of thought and philosophy truly is unveiled. For whatever the mind then perceives as real indeed truly does become so according to our own plane of perception and reasoning - all in ... no farther than assert...

• Word Count: 2636
• Approx Pages: 11
• Grade Level: High School