Friday, 11 May 2012

Epistemology: Discussion, Reflection, Synthesis ( Rationalism vs. Empiricism)


Popper tried to distinguish between science and pseudo-science as stated, “I often formulated my problem as one of distinguishing between a genuinely empirical method and a non-empirical or even a pseudo-empirical method – that is to say, a method which although it appeals to observation and experiment, nevertheless does not come up to scientific standards.” The knowledge we wish to know can be based on rationalism or empiricism. How can the difference between rationalism and empiricism be applied regarding humanity issues?
Both rationalism and empiricism can be used in various humanity issues, as various concepts of humanity based problems are explained through the process of rationalism, as they are based rather on theories than experiences. These are issues that are supported by theories and understandings; issues such as effects of violent nurture of a child which leads to a negative behavior at adulthood. This is a theory provided by studies rather than proven experiments and statically and scientific evidence. Moreover, humanity based issues can also be defined and proven, by empirical results effects of negative inhuman events can cause physical damage to the brain and how we function. For instance, a war can affect a person’s brain development due to the collision, violence, trauma, etc, -can be scientific seen and recorded as it’s a physical attribute. Thus the humanity based problems both viewed in rationalism and empiricism due to the circumstances. 

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