Understanding Key Philosophical Concepts and the Origin of Science
Theoretical Knowledge
Theoretical knowledge encompasses all information that describes and explains the natural and social world around us. It arises from the simple desire for knowledge, not to guarantee our survival or well-being, but it often contributes to them.
Language Features
From a linguistic perspective, language is considered the human ability to communicate through a system of signs. This power is manifested in the particular language used by each speaker and possesses these characteristics: it is arbitrary and it is articulated.
Types of Propositions
- Empirical: Affirm or deny something about the world. They have empirical content that can be contrasted with experience.
- Formal: Have no empirical content. They say nothing about the world but about the relations between symbols.
Dogmatism
Dogmatism is the philosophical position that asserts we can gain secure, universal knowledge and be absolutely sure of it. It affirms the possibility of gradually and continuously expanding our knowledge. This is the most optimistic attitude in philosophy. One of the philosophers considered dogmatic is Descartes.
Skepticism
Skepticism is the position opposed to dogmatism. Moderate skepticism doubts the possibility of firm and sure knowledge. Radical skepticism denies that such knowledge is possible. Therefore, it considers that access to firm and sure knowledge is an unattainable desire. Pyrrho and Gorgias are considered skeptics.
Criticism
Criticism is a middle ground between dogmatism and skepticism. For critical thinkers like Kant, knowledge is possible. However, this knowledge is not absolute and definitive but should be continually reviewed and critiqued for possible forgeries and errors.
Relativism
Relativism is the position that denies the existence of absolute truth, that is, valid in itself at any time and place. For this reason, it rejects the claim of objective and universal knowledge and believes that there are often particular opinions, valid only in a particular social, cultural, or historical context. So, what is true in a particular culture or epoch may not be in another.
Perspectivism
Although perspectivism has much in common with relativism, there is one fundamental difference: it does not deny the theoretical possibility of absolute truth. According to perspectivism, each subject or group that knows does so from a point of view or particular perspective, and therefore has a partial view of reality. This view is not false and, moreover, is irreplaceable because any perspective captures an important aspect of reality. All perspectives are true, and their reunion, if possible, would be the absolute truth. Ortega y Gasset defended perspectivism as a way to overcome the dilemma between dogmatism and skepticism.
The Origin of Science
Science and philosophy emerged from the same critical and questioning attitude toward reality, and initially, the subjects were indistinguishable. However, science became independent of philosophy and began to develop its own methods. This period is called the scientific revolution.
Verification and Falsification
- Verification: Consists of verifying the truth of a hypothesis.
- Falsification: Consists of testing the hypothesis against facts to show that it is false.