The Scientific Revolution, Descartes and Classical Empiricism

Rationalism

Philosophy stating knowledge comes from reason and innate ideas

Empiricism

Philosophy stating knowledge comes primarily from sensory experience. (Locke)

Introspection

The method of looking inward to examine one's own thoughts and feelings. (Descartes)

Epiphysis (Pineal Gland)

The structure in the brain where Descartes believed the mind and body interact.

Mechanistic Worldview

The belief that the universe (and body) functions like a machine governed by mathematical laws.

Tabula Rasa

'Blank Slate'. Locke's idea that the mind has no innate content at birth; everything comes from experience.

Mental Mechanics

"ames Mill's view that the mind is passive and ideas are linked only by contact (contiguity)

Mental Chemistry

John Stuart Mill's view that complex ideas blend to create new qualities (like colors mixing)

Positivism

Scientific approach that knowledge must be built bottom-up from observable

Hume's Fork

Hume's argument that any knowledge not based on Math/Logic or Experimental Fact is worthless ('commit it to the flames').

Problem of Induction

The logical issue that past patterns do not guarantee future results (e.g.)

Epistemology

The branch of philosophy concerned with the theory of knowledge (How do we know what we know?).

Descriptive Philosophy of Science

Asks: What do scientists actually do? (Observing the process).

Normative Philosophy of Science

Asks: What should scientists do? (Setting rules/standards).

The French Revolution (Crisis)

The historical event that caused a crisis in the belief that individual freedom always leads to a perfect society (due to the Reign of Terror).

Contiguity

The principle of association based on things touching or happening together in time/space (James Mill's only rule).

Utilitarianism

Philosophy focusing on maximizing happiness (pleasure) and minimizing pain. (Bentham).

Abduction

Logical inference to the best explanation (guessing the most likely cause from an effect).

Induction

Bottom-Up reasoning: Predicting general rules or future events based on specific past observations.

Deduction

Top-Down reasoning: Deriving specific conclusions from general premises (e.g., All men are mortal -> Socrates is mortal).

Impressions (Hume)

Vivid, immediate sensory experiences (e.g., feeling pain).

Ideas (Hume)

Faint copies or memories of impressions (e.g., remembering pain).

James Mill

Father of J.S. Mill. Believed in a passive, mechanical mind.

John Stuart Mill

Son of James Mill. Believed in an active mind (Mental Chemistry) and the importance of feelings/self-fulfillmen."

Reign of Terror

The phase of the French Revolution that challenged the 'Mosaic' theory of society.

René Descartes

Rationalist. 'I think, therefore I am'. Believed in innate ideas and that the mind/body interact at the Pineal Gland (Epiphysis). Viewed animals as machines." SOLDIER

John Locke

Empiricist. Proposed 'Tabula Rasa' (Blank Slate). Rejected innate moral principles but believed the mind has innate functions. Believed knowledge comes from experience.

David Hume

Skeptic/Empiricist. Distinguished between Impressions (vivid) and Ideas (faint). Identified the 'Problem of Induction' and 'Hume's Fork'. Believed causality is just habit.

James Mill

Associationist (The Father). Believed the mind is PASSIVE and MECHANICAL (Mental Mechanics). Ideas connect only via Contiguity (contact).

John Stuart Mill

Associationist (The Son). Believed the mind is ACTIVE. Proposed 'Mental Chemistry' (complex ideas = new qualities). Emphasized feelings and self-fulfillment.

Jeremy Bentham

Utilitarian. Believed that humans are ruled by Pleasure and Pain. Goal: Maximize happiness for the greatest number.

George Berkeley

"Idealist (The Bishop). 'To be is to be perceived'. Argued there is no material reality without perception. (e.g. there is no material reality without perception. (e.g., the book looking like a trapezoid).

Blaise Pascal

Philosopher who emphasized the 'Heart' and free will over pure reason. 'The heart has its reasons which reason knows nothing of.'"

Thomas Hobbes

Political Philosopher. Believed humans are naturally selfish and need a strong government (Social Contract) to prevent chaos.

Isaac Newton

Scientist who established the Mechanistic Worldview. However he believed some inaccuracies in the universe were due to divine (God's) reasons.