CLIL CLIL CLIL PHILOSOPHY THEORIES OF KNOWLEDGE Two opposing theories: Descartes Rationalism and Locke s Empiricism. According to René Descartes, knowledge depends on absolute certainty. Since perception is unreliable, indubitable knowledge cannot come from the outside world via the senses. Descartes believes that there are two ways of discovering knowledge: through experience and through deduction. If knowledge cannot come from experience of the outside world, then it must come from within. In contrast to perception, Descartes believes that deduction can never be performed wrongly by an intellect which is in the least René Descartes degree rational, so deductive knowledge is the only certain knowledge. (1596-1650) Such a system requires a basis of intuitively understood principles from which knowledge can be deduced. Descartes believes that there are some principles which are immediately known, such as the idea of the existence of the self and that of God. These are principles which are revealed to us by natural light and cannot in any way be open to doubt. Descartes concludes that these principles are innate. In contrast, Locke does not believe that there is any certain knowledge. On the contrary, he believes in knowledge that is probable to a very high degree. Since he is not concerned with certainty, he has no need to abandon ideas based on perception. Knowledge can and does rely on the senses and observations. In fact, Locke says that all ideas come from sensation and reflection: all knowledge is founded on experience. Locke rejects the existence of any innate principles or ideas on at least two John Locke independent grounds. He argues that there are no innate ideas because, if there (1632-1704) were, they would immediately be known to children, and they are not. Locke also explains that if any idea is innate, the idea of God is innate. However, since there is no universal agreement on the notion of God, the idea of God cannot be innate. There are no innate ideas present in the mind; it is a white paper, void of all characters, without any ideas. It is through experience, not some divine natural light, that the mind can gain knowledge. After reading the text, decide whether these quotations belong to Descartes (D) or Locke (L). A. I think, therefore I am (Cogito, ergo sum). B. No man s knowledge here can go beyond his experience. C. I pretend not to teach, but to inquire. D. It is not enough to have a good mind, the main thing is to use it well. E. The senses deceive from time to time, and it is prudent never to trust wholly those who have deceived us even once. F. The external and internal sensations are the only passages I can find of knowledge to the understanding. G. The two operations of our understanding, intuition and deduction, on which alone we have said we must rely in the acquisition of knowledge. 88