Rationalism vs. Empiricism: 17th Century Philosophy
Comment
Brazenness was born at the end of the sixteenth century, a time in Europe that produced numerous social and political changes, like the development of the bourgeoisie and capitalism.
The First Half of the Seventeenth Century
The first half of the seventeenth century helps explain why there was a need for work that deals with the method and why it is argued that “the old road” to knowledge should be abandoned. Also, which currents of thought of his time correlated with the social and political changes taking place in the seventeenth century.
Mid-Sixteenth Century in Europe
In the middle of the sixteenth century in Europe, economic crises began. These supposed the development of the bourgeoisie, and as to the ideological level, there is a new conception of the world, based on the concept of reason.
a. Economic-Social Crisis
The development of capitalism will result favored by the development of maritime and colonial trade and the influx of precious metals. The types of capitalistic entrepreneurs are outlined as energetic, intelligent, and practical, with unscrupulous individuals who claim individual liberty against corporations, municipalities, and manors. The value of reason is exalted.
b. Political Crisis
This was a period of great instability. The crisis is manifested in a series of wars and revolutions. It is the era of colonial expansionism. In Europe, there is the Thirty Years’ War (1610-1648).
Modern states, independent and sovereign, are formed.
c. Crisis of Mentality
It is manifested in the development of the scientific spirit, from the Renaissance. Witchcraft is losing strength, and gaining influence are attitudes influenced by Cartesian rationalism and scientific development, manifested in:
- Astronomy (Galileo)
- Medicine (Harvey)
- Mathematics (Descartes)
- Physics (Newton)
These findings lead to a modification of the outlook and abundant confrontation between supporters of Aristotle.
Also worth noting is that in the late Middle Ages, there were significant cultural changes that influenced the development of Cartesian philosophy.
All these changes are made by the philosophers of the late sixteenth century, who kept a clear conscience break with respect to the medieval tradition and a methodological concern.
In Descartes, his works include the Discourse on the Method to properly address the reason and seek truth in science.
Rationalism and Empiricism
Rationalism and empiricism are two schools of thought that developed in Europe during the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries.
The fundamental problem that both currents discuss is the problem of human knowledge. The difference between the two lies in the way they try to focus on the merits of this knowledge. Also, rationalism and empiricism are modeled on the knowledge of modern science, characterized by its mathematical and experimental method.
Empiricism holds that all our knowledge comes from the senses. Rationalism does not say that knowledge is in sense experience but that we possess innate knowledge.
In both strands, the central theory of knowledge is the concept of idea.