Alexander CekalaA history of western philosophy 4
This week I am going to write 5 posts on the history of philosophy, covering the 17th and part of the 18th. Today's post will deal with seventeenth century western philosophy.
The seventeenth century in philosophy
This century saw a clash between the empiricists, who believed knowledge should be gained through experimentation, and the rationalists, who believed it should be gained through the application of logic. While this is a suitable general outline it is an oversimplification.
Descrates
Descrates is most famous for his statement, "I think, therefore I am." This grew out of the idea of doubting anything that could be doubted. This extreme scepticism led to Descrates drawing this truth as one of the few of which we could be certain and from this point he re-established our confidence in the worlds existence.
As part of this he made it plain that he was a rationalist, as he believed that all perception could be doubted, and existence could only be proved through logic.
Thomas Hobbes
Hobbes, who is most famous for his political philosophy, believed that man was naturally allowed to kill others for his own safety, and that this meant man could never be safe in his natural situation. Therefore, he believed that man entered into a social contract for his own safety, agreeing to give his own natural power to a monarch. Because this choice was voluntary, man was wrong to rebel against their kings.
He also wrote some other philosophy, but is most remembered for this claim.
And that's it for today. The next two posts will also cover 17th century philosophy.
Adam
The seventeenth century in philosophy
This century saw a clash between the empiricists, who believed knowledge should be gained through experimentation, and the rationalists, who believed it should be gained through the application of logic. While this is a suitable general outline it is an oversimplification.
Descrates
Descrates is most famous for his statement, "I think, therefore I am." This grew out of the idea of doubting anything that could be doubted. This extreme scepticism led to Descrates drawing this truth as one of the few of which we could be certain and from this point he re-established our confidence in the worlds existence.
As part of this he made it plain that he was a rationalist, as he believed that all perception could be doubted, and existence could only be proved through logic.
Thomas Hobbes
Hobbes, who is most famous for his political philosophy, believed that man was naturally allowed to kill others for his own safety, and that this meant man could never be safe in his natural situation. Therefore, he believed that man entered into a social contract for his own safety, agreeing to give his own natural power to a monarch. Because this choice was voluntary, man was wrong to rebel against their kings.
He also wrote some other philosophy, but is most remembered for this claim.
And that's it for today. The next two posts will also cover 17th century philosophy.
Adam
Not really, you're right, I misspelled it.
Adam