Reason And Experience

Reason and Experience Definitions

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  • Created by: beth
  • Created on: 20-05-10 17:16

A Priori/ A Posteriori And Analytic/ Synthetic

Analytic Propositions are true or false by virtue of the meanings of the words. E.g. the bungalow only has one storey.

Synthetic Propositions are true or false by virtue of states of affairs in the world. E.g. my pen is blue.

A Priori Knowledge is knowledge of propositions that don't require sense experience to be known to be true. E.g. a house is lived in by something.

A Posteriori Knowledge is knowledge of propositions that do require sense experience to be known to be true. E.g. leaves turn brown in autumn

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Rationalism vs. Empiricism

This leads to the debate of Rationalism vs. Empiricism.

Rationalism claims we can have synthetic a priori knowledge and Empiricism denies it.

Rationalism says we acquire knowledge through reason.

Empiricism says we acquire knowledge through experience.

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