Rationalism and Skepticism: 17th Century Philosophical Systems

Rationalism: The Age of Reason

The seventeenth century, known as the Age of Reason, saw the triumph of the new science, which ended the Aristotelian conception of the universe. The world could no longer be explained by theory but by mechanistic and organicist theories. In this context arose the two great philosophical systems of the time: Rationalism and Empiricism. Both systems are characterized by the search for certainties, and knowledge becomes the central problem of modern philosophy.

The new scientific methodology offered two models:

• Mathematics: This became the model for Rationalism, which absolutely trusts in reason as a source of knowledge and affirms that the principles of knowledge are innate.
• Experimental Science: This became the model for Empiricism, which denies the existence of innate ideas and views experience as the sole source and limit of knowledge.

Rationalism is a philosophical current that appeared in the 17th century and is based on confidence in the self-sufficiency of reason as a source of knowledge.

Key Features of Rationalism

1. Full Confidence in Human Reason: This implies that neither faith nor the exercise of authority can betray it. Only rightful reason is authorized to judge the truth.
2. Underestimation of Sensitive Knowledge: The information that comes from the senses is misleading and limited.
3. Defense of the Rationalization of the World: Everything that happens has an explanation accessible to reason.
4. Assertion of Innate Ideas: The existence of innate ideas in the understanding means that they exist independently of experience. Reason itself can extract these first truths and deduce all others from them.
5. Search for a New Method: Rationalism seeks a philosophical method of discovery that allows the deduction of complete truths from a priori principles. Mathematical reasoning is the model of clarity, certainty, and precision. It is constructed a priori, which is precisely why it is universal and necessary.
6. Adoption of a Mechanistic Worldview: The world is explained by material and efficient causes (i.e., by mechanical laws).

Hume's Moderate Skepticism

Hume adopts a moderate skepticism inspired by Pyrrho. This skepticism is consequent; it is the fruit of an analysis of our mental faculties. Since we know what our limitations are, and not directly rationally, nothing assures us of the existence of the exterior world.

It would be absurd to deny the existence of the world and act accordingly (absolute skepticism), given that the vividness of the impressions is enough to justify the belief in an external world.

Hume's moderate skepticism offers two advantages:

1. It heals us from dogmatism and metaphysics.
2. It recognizes the limitations of our approach, preventing us from attempting to understand abstract issues.