#1: Epistemology: The Math Question: Rationalists, like Descartes, argue that there is such a thing as “Innate Knowledge”, while Empiricists argue that knowledge comes from the experience of the senses. Explore this debate.
Answer the question: How do you know 2+2 = 4? and, by your answer, are you a Rationalist, or an Empiricist?
Use either or both Descartes’ Meditations, the learning resources and your own reasoning in your argument.
#2: Epistemology: The knowledge of morality. Examine the rationalism vs empiricism debate by exploring how you learned your morality.
Answer the question: How did you learn what was right and wrong? and, by your answer, are you a Rationalist or an Empiricist?
Use either or both Descartes’ Meditations, the learning resources, and your own reasoning in your argument.
MLA Citation:
. REQUIRED READING
(1) [PRIMARY TEXT]
The text of Descartes Meditations on First Philosophy, Meditation I: Of the things which may be brought within the sphere of the doubtful, translated into English by Elizabeth S. Haldane.
(2) [PRIMARY TEXT]
The text of Descartes Meditations on First Philosophy, Meditation II: Of the Nature of the Human Mind, translated into English by Elizabeth S. Haldane.
(3)
An introduction to Descartes’ Meditations on First Philosophy (1641).
(4) Russell, Bertrand. History of Western Philosophy. vol. [New ed.], Routledge, 2004. Routledge Classics.
(a)
II. SUPPLEMENTAL READING
(5)
An introduction to the life and writings of Rene Descartes.
(6)
A short introduction to Rationalism.
(7)
A short introduction to Empiricism.
III. SUPPLEMENTAL AUDIO/VIDEO
(8) “Cartesian Skepticism – Neo, Meet Rene: Crash Course Philosophy #5.” YouTube. Uploaded by CrashCourse, Mar. 7 2016.
