Question

Describe the two major branches of Epistemological enquiry (Rationalism and Empiricism). Why do they differ significantly? Which do you personally prefer to use when studying a new topic or trying to determine an answer to a question? The response must be 200 words

Answer 1

The Empiricism

The Empiricism concept claims that sense experiences are the ultimate source of gaining knowledge. According to the philosophical theories, our knowledge can not be inferred unless it is becomes someone's sense experience. Everything that comes to our mind,must be come through the senses. So according to this philosophical approaches it can be stated that our whole life is derived by our sense experiences.

As example

Our mind was like a blank white paper when we were a new born.Our daily sense experience writes everything on our mind. So it can be stated that, every knowledge of us is gained by the daily sense experiences.

The Rationalism

The concept Rationalism claims that there are some significant methods in which we gain our knowledge. So according to this theorey every gained knowledge are independent.The Rationalists have stated that we all have an innate knowledge. Every person is different because they choose different subjects of Innate knowledge.In philosophical concept,Rationalism comes from a intution about some situation.

As example

A rationalist always thinks you dont need to observe the whole world to know a mathematical equation, if you know the formula you can easily solve that particular equation.

Causes of Significant Difference

1) The Empiricism is completely depends on our sense experience. According to Empiricism thorey, all our knowledge are gained by the sense experiences.

In other hand,Rationalism concept believs in the Perceptual illusion or some Intution.

2) The Empiricism theorey denies the concept of Innate knowledge. According to Empiricist, all the knowledge are only influenced by sense perception.

In other hand Rationalism theorey believs that we all have an Innate knowledge.

3) The Empiricism theorey claims that knowledge commonly comes from observation of the World.

In other hand Rationalism theorey claims that knowledge only comes from Intellectual Reasoning.

4) The Empiricism is a faith made theorey.

In other hand Rationalism is a logical made theorey.

5) The Empiricism theorey denies to accept the fact that''Our gained knowledge are Independent''.

In other hand Rationalism concept strongly agreeed in the fact that ''Our gained knowledge are independent''.

My Preference

I personally thinks that both of the factors are important. As example i have to use my logic and Intution when i am solving a mathematical equation.So it can be an example of using rationalism.

In other hand when i am observing someone's behavior i have to depend on the Empiricism theorey. So i prefer using both of the concepts according to my topic or subject. It is completely depends on the topic what i am studying.