The impact of Descartes and the British empiricists on philosophical thought regarding rationality and empiricism - Descartes
8 important questions on The impact of Descartes and the British empiricists on philosophical thought regarding rationality and empiricism - Descartes
When did Descartes live?
What was Descartes view on the foundation of our knowledge?
- Descartes (1596-1650) believed that the foundation of knowledge lies in absolutely certain statements.
- To be obtained trough reason.
- If senses deceive us sometimes, why not always?
- He doubted everything "Cogito Ergo Sum."
- "I think, therefore I am."
- God exists, because if our imperfect minds can image a perfect divine being as God, he should exist.
- Believed God placed som innate ideas in us.
- God will not deceive us, hence we can assume the physical world really exists.
- Came to this knowledge by REASON.
Why didn't Descartes trust the information of his senses?
- Higher grades + faster learning
- Never study anything twice
- 100% sure, 100% understanding
For my 1st exam I got a C. Then, I started looking for ways to learn better and I came across Study Smart. Since then I have scored a A+, A, A- and another A. I highly recommend it to everyone who wants to hear it. I am so happy with it!!
I was struggling to finish all my first-year subjects for 3 years. Then I discovered Study Smart, which helped me to finish all of them within 3 months.
Because of StudySmart, things are going well in many ways. Before, I always had study stress and no time for anything. Now I feel calm and confident (because of the program). I used to score a B, now I usually score an A or A+.
Hey Chris, I really want to thank you very much for developing the platform, I usually got around C for my exams, now I scored an A+, an A and a A- !!
Since using Study Smart, my average has increased significantly. I even completed a statistics course with a A+ while I'm bad at statistics. I took on extra courses this year, because of Study Smart. Thanks so much!
Ever since I started studying with StudySmart I passed all my exams !!! No more re-sits!! At first, I was happy with a pass and now I only get good grades. Many thanks!
I aced all the courses I studied with Study Smart. For law, I first scored a D, and now an A! I’m 100% sure that I’ll pass all the courses I study with Study Smart.
I always thought I studied well. My grades were fine. I could never have imagined that applying these study skills would have such a huge and direct impact on my grades, my speed and the pleasure I have in learning.
For the first time, I finally feel totally confident about the way I learn. I have the perfect overview and make great progress in terms of speed and the grades I get. Thanks, Chris!
I immediately started to enjoy learning again, and my grades soared. All of a sudden, everything went better. I highly recommend Study Smart to all students..
Being able to create my materials online made the process of studying so much smoother and quicker. I no longer have to spend a huge amount of my time on creating my summaries.
At first, my notes were a mess. Now I use Study Smart to take my notes in a perfectly structured way. It helps me to save a lot of time and do other things I enjoy.
Students that study with Study Smart get better grades. The system applies all the learning methods in such a way that both well-performing students and students who struggle perform much better.
Hi Chris, I would like to thank you very much. Last year I scored C on a course, and this year I got an A+ thanks to your method! Thank you very much!
The largest effect is that my child is more enthusiastic about school! Every parent wants their children to be happy at school, Study Smart made it happen.
In high school, I failed several exams, and that has really changed now. I actually needed this tool very much back then. Since I started studying with StudySmart, I haven't had any D's. My average score is now an A and those are results I would have never had in the past
With my old method, I passed only 3 out of 8 courses. Since I started taking my notes digitally in Study Smart, I have passed all my courses on the first try. For me, StudySmart takes away the stress of wondering if I will pass or not.
Thanks to StudySmart, I passed all my exams, and with better grades than before! On top of that, I have mastered a very good study method now, which I am confident will help me earn my degree.
Who said the following quote and what does it mean: "Cogito Ergo Sum" ?
Although doubting everything, Descartes believed in God.
Can you explain?
Because God won't deceive us, we can assume that the physical world really exists.
What is George Berkeley's view on the foundation of knowledge?
- George Berkeley (1685-1753) all properties are only known through the ideas that senses produce in us.
- Rejection of Locke's distinction between primary and secondary properties.
- There too we find perceptual relativity.
- Hence his idealism: to be is to be perceived.
What was David Hume's vision on the foundation of knowledge?
- David Hume (1711-1776) believed, like Berkeley, that all knowledge is derived from ideas that senses produce in us.
- If all science is based on representation of our mind, we should understand the human mind to move forward with science.
- Two types of perceptions:
- Impressions:
- Direct experiences that are perceived by our senses.
- Ideas:
- Vague copies of impressions that stay behind in our minds, when the source of the impression has gone away.
- Concept of the Copy Principle:
- All ideas are (vague) copies of initial impressions.
- Use the Copy Principle in reverse to judge the meaningfulness of ideas.
- Who were the four British philosophers of the 18th/18th century that said something about the foundation of knowledge?
- Can they be seen as Rationalists or Empiricists?
- What is their main concept?
- René Descartes (1596-1650) Rationalists.
- Perceptions are untrustworthy, knowledge obtained through reason.
- Cogito Ergo Sum.
- John Locke (1632-1704), Empiricist.
- Tabula Rasa.
- Primary and secondary properties of sensations.
- George Berkeley (1685-1753), Empiricist.
- All sensations we perceive are relative.
- Idealism: to be is to be perceived.
- David Hume (1711-1776), Empiricist.
- Perceptions categorized in impressions and ideas.
- Copy principle, all ideas are (vague) copies of impressions.
The question on the page originate from the summary of the following study material:
- A unique study and practice tool
- Never study anything twice again
- Get the grades you hope for
- 100% sure, 100% understanding
