Philosophical Knowledge: Comparing Rationalism, Empiricism, and Kant's Metaphysics

Types of Knowledge: Vulgar, Scientific, and Philosophical

Vulgar Knowledge (Common Sense)

Vulgar knowledge teaches us how things are presented to us. This knowledge of reality is uncritical and full of prejudice; it is not discussed. It accepts things as they are presented.

Scientific Knowledge

Scientific knowledge is a deeper understanding. It is deep and critical, always looking for the underlying causes of phenomena.

Philosophical Knowledge

Philosophical knowledge brings us closer to the ultimate causes of reality.

Characteristics of Philosophical Knowledge

Philosophical knowledge is defined by the following characteristics:

• Reflective knowledge
• Open knowledge
• Rational knowledge
• Global knowledge (namely, radical)
• Practical knowledge
• Systematic knowledge
• Critical knowledge

Comparing Philosophical and Scientific Knowledge

Both philosophical and scientific knowledge use reason and seek causes. However, philosophical knowledge aims to reach the ultimate cause (of reality), while scientific knowledge focuses on proximate causes. Both are critical forms of knowledge.

Rationalism vs. Empiricism

Rationalists believe that there are innate and obvious principles from which truth can be deduced without recourse to experience. Their paradigm (model) of science is mathematics, as a purely deductive science developed without recourse to experience.

By contrast, Empiricists do not believe in the existence of innate ideas. For them, there is nothing in the mind that does not come from experience. They believe the mind is a tabula rasa (blank slate) to be filled with the contents of experience. For them, the model of science is physics, and the inductive method is adopted.

Kant on Metaphysics and Knowledge Validity

What is the validity of metaphysics according to Kant? Kant defined the validity of metaphysics as the study of the boundaries, nature, and scope of knowledge. However, metaphysics understood as the study of supersensible entities has no validity.

The Problem of Dualism

Dualism distinguishes between entirely heterogeneous realities (different), such as the Body and Soul. The inherent problem of all dualistic systems is explaining how these vastly different substances relate to each other.

Critique of Arguments for God's Existence

Traditional arguments for God's existence are often based on experience, climbing through it to reach God as the ultimate cause. Kant criticizes these proofs, arguing that God cannot be the object of experience.

Key Philosophers and Their Fields of Study

The following philosophers are associated with specific areas of inquiry:

• Gnoseological (Theory of Knowledge): Hume
• Language: Carnap
• Ethical and Moral: Nietzsche
• Historical and Political: Marx

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