Major Philosophical Doctrines: Empiricism to Idealism
Empiricism
Empiricism is a philosophical doctrine that posits experience as the primary source of knowledge. Developed around the 17th and 18th centuries, with key figures like Locke and Hume, this theory asserts that sense experience is the sole origin of human knowledge. Empiricists believe we can only access the pure phenomenon itself, and since all knowledge stems from experience, it must be acquired. The mind, devoid of innate ideas, is considered a tabula rasa (blank slate). Consequently, the inductive method is the only valid approach to gaining knowledge.
Epicureanism
Founded by Epicurus around 300 BC, Epicureanism is a philosophical school established in Athens. Its core tenet is that the fundamental law of human nature is the pursuit of pleasure. Humans seek pleasant outcomes in their actions, though these actions may have side effects. Epicureanism emphasizes that pleasure is not limited to the sensual but also encompasses values like friendship and the contemplation of art. This philosophy advocates for self-control and restraint to curb desires. It also addresses the subject of death, asserting that there is no life after death, as when death arrives, we cease to exist.
Phenomenology
Phenomenology, a philosophical doctrine prominent in the first half of the 20th century, finds its greatest representative in Husserl. It proposes that knowledge arises from the analysis of consciousness, leading to the concept of intentionality: whenever I perceive something, I know it. Phenomenology aims to describe the characteristics of experience, with the primary characteristic of consciousness being its intentionality, as every mental act is directed toward an object.
Scholasticism
Scholasticism, a philosophical doctrine originating from the Greek school, provides the foundation of classical philosophy, with Plato and Aristotle as its early proponents. This theory maintains that faith and reason cannot conflict because both originate from God. Thus, one of the central themes of Scholasticism is the relationship between reason and faith. This current is divided into several periods:
- Early Scholasticism (9th-12th centuries): Utilizes Neoplatonic philosophy.
- High Scholasticism (13th century): Attempts to reconcile Christian theology with the theories of Aristotle, primarily through the work of Saint Thomas Aquinas.
- Late Scholasticism: Marked by a separation between faith and reason.
Stoicism
Stoicism, a philosophical doctrine founded by Zeno of Citium in 301 BC, was named after the Stoa Poikile, a colonnade where discussions and meetings were held. Stoicism aims to be universally accessible, based on the theory that we are part of an orderly cosmos governed by a single universal law, the Logos. Within this order, we must voluntarily submit. For Stoics, happiness is synonymous with wisdom, achieved through this philosophy, which teaches us to live according to nature. Endurance and resilience are key concepts that guide us toward the ultimate goal of this philosophy: happiness.
Idealism
Idealism is a philosophical doctrine that originates with Plato’s theory of Forms and is further developed by Kant. It posits that knowledge of the world stems from the analysis of the self or reason itself. In situations of knowing, there is a subject who knows, and knowledge in the mind reflects that reality.