Part III Epistemology Cengage Learning第三部分认识论圣智学习.pptVIP

Part III: Epistemology Chapter 6: Is Knowledge Possible? Chapter 7: Does Science Tell Us the Whole Truth and Nothing But the Truth? Chapter 6: Is Knowledge Possible? Epistemology – the study of knowledge (how we know) Empiricism – theory that knowledge comes through experiencing with the senses Rationalism – theory that reason is the source of knowledge Skepticism – “to reflect on,” “consider,” or “examine”. Doubting or suspending judgment. Empiricism Tabula rasa – the idea that before sense experience, the human mind is a “empty tablet” or “blank slate” A posteriori – “after experience”, the idea that we cannot know until have experience through the senses Rationalism Innate ideas – ideas that are built into the mind at birth A priori – there is knowledge prior to or independent from experience Skepticism Common-sense skepticism – healthy skepticism that suspends judgment at one time or another Methodical skepticism – used by philosophers and scientists to search for truth. Doubt hypothesis until it is tested to determine accuracy. Absolute skepticism – doubts the very possiblity of knowledge. Advocated by Pyrrho of Elis (about 300 BCE.) Sufi Mysticism Sufism – an Islamic mystical movement which taught that direct and immediate experience of Allah is possible. Abu Hamid Muhammad al-Ghazali (1058) believed knowledge came through experience of intimate union or contact with the Divine Deliverance from ErrorAl-Ghazali Defines knowledge as that which is true and certain without any doubt of its truth Believed that knowledge could not be reached through empiricism, rationalism, or skepticism Al-Ghazali sought knowledge of the Divine, which he believed was found through mysticism, or experience of the Divine Is Certainty Possible? Is there absolute truth? Direct realism – reality exists apart from human sensations, and senses put us directly in touch with reality Indirect or representational realism – sensations represent physical reality. We are only directly in