18th Century Philosophy & Science: Enlightenment Era Thought

18th Century Philosophy and Science

The Enlightenment and Scientific Breakthroughs

The 18th century witnessed remarkable scientific advancements, particularly with Isaac Newton's breakthroughs. Newton emphasized the importance of combining experience and reason to understand the laws governing the motion of bodies. His method involved observing nature and ensuring that sensory observations aligned with the order of reason.

In philosophy, Immanuel Kant's work contributed significantly to the ongoing discussion on the origin and foundation of knowledge—a topic previously addressed by Continental Rationalism and British Empiricism. Both currents influenced Kant's thinking.

Another philosophical debate centered around the scientific nature of metaphysics. Christian Wolff, a rationalist, argued that metaphysics was a science concerned with the soul, the world, and God. In contrast, Kant, influenced by Hume, contended that metaphysics could not be considered a science.

Augustine's Theory of Knowledge

Augustine questioned the possibility of attaining true knowledge. He argued against skepticism by pointing out that doubt itself implies certainty. The very act of doubting confirms one truth: the doubter exists. This certainty of existence is a form of knowledge that the soul possesses through inner experience.

Augustine proposed three ways humans attain knowledge:

1. Sensible Knowledge: Derived from sensory information, this knowledge is susceptible to change and error.
2. Rational Knowledge: This can be further divided into two categories:
   1. Inferior Rational Knowledge: Forming specific judgments about objects based on universal, intangible, and eternal ideas.
   2. Superior Rational Knowledge: True knowledge involves contemplating universal and necessary ideas within their own foundation. Augustine situated these ideas within the divine mind of God. The soul accesses these ideas through a divine light—God's illumination—which reveals the reflection of these ideas within the human soul.