Modern Philosophy Quiz: Descartes & Locke

Questions and Answers

Which approach did Descartes advocate for reasoning and knowledge?

Pragmatism

Empiricism

Rationalism (correct)

Constructivism

Descartes introduced the concept of the Cartesian method and believed that all knowledge must come from sensory experience.

False

What is the phrase that summarizes Descartes' foundational principle of philosophy?

I think, therefore I am.

Descartes believed that truths discovered through reason are __________, meaning they do not rely on experience.

a priori Signup and view all the answers

Match the following powers of the human mind with their descriptions:

Intuition = Ability to apprehend certain truths Deduction = Discovering new knowledge from what is already known Signup and view all the answers

Which philosopher believed that the mind is separate from the body and likened the body to a machine?

René Descartes Signup and view all the answers

John Locke proposed that knowledge is innate and exists in the mind from birth.

False Signup and view all the answers

What metaphor does John Locke use to describe the human mind at birth?

tabula rasa Signup and view all the answers

According to Locke, ________ are the raw materials from which knowledge begins.

simple ideas Signup and view all the answers

Match the following concepts to their descriptions according to John Locke:

Law of Opinion = Actions that are praiseworthy are called virtues. Sensation = Experience of objects through the senses. Reflection = The mind analyzes experienced objects. Complex Ideas = Ideas formed by comparing simple ideas. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

René Descartes

Known as the "Father of Modern Philosophy" and a prominent Rationalist philosopher.
Emphasized that truth is a universal concept and that reason is superior to sensory experience.
Developed the Cartesian method, which involves seeking certainty through critical reasoning.
Invented analytic geometry and utilized a systematic approach to knowledge based on intuition and deduction.
Established that truths are a priori, meaning they are innate and do not rely on experience.
Developed the idea that philosophy should progress from simple to complex ideas for innovation.
Famous for the phrase "I think, therefore I am," indicating that doubt and thought affirm existence.
Proposed the mind-body dualism, viewing the mind as distinct and separate from the body, considering bodily processes as mechanical.

John Locke

Born in 1632 in England and was a defender of the parliamentary system.
His work during the Enlightenment focused on the workings of the human mind and knowledge acquisition.
Contrasted Descartes by asserting that knowledge is derived a posteriori, from sensory experiences rather than innate ideas.
Introduced the concept of "tabula rasa" (blank slate), arguing that the mind at birth contains no ideas.
Proposed that simple ideas come from sensation and reflection, enabling the creation of complex ideas.
Emphasized that moral and social values stem from sensory experiences, rather than inborn notions of good.
Identified three laws governing human behavior: Law of Opinion, Civil Law, and Divine Law, with Divine Law being the ultimate guide for moral conduct.

David Hume

Born in 1711 in Scotland; known for his skeptical approach to philosophy and religion.
Advocated empiricism, formulating ideas through experiences and relying on the scientific method for understanding human nature.
Recognized perceptions as the foundation of knowledge, dividing them into impressions (immediate sensations) and ideas (recollections).
Stressed that without impressions, there can be no ideas or complex thoughts.
Established principles of how ideas relate: Resemblance and Contiguity, which explain how experiences connect in the mind.
Analyzed cause and effect, concluding that these concepts arise from observed relations and cannot serve as a basis for knowledge.
Questioned the existence of the "self," arguing that no sense impression of the self can be identified.

Freud's Psychodynamic Theory

Introduced the concept of the mind's structure using the iceberg analogy, separating conscious behavior from unconscious influences.
Outlined three components of the mind:
- Id: Operates on the pleasure principle, seeking immediate gratification without regard for social constraints.
- Ego: Functions on the reality principle, mediating between the Id's impulses and Superego's moral standards.
- Superego: Develops through learning right from wrong, influenced by childhood experiences and societal norms.
Proposed two kinds of instincts driving behavior:
- Eros (life instinct): Energy focused on survival-related urges such as hunger and sex.
- Thanatos (death instinct): Associated with aggressive tendencies and destructive behaviors.
The interplay of these structures affects emotional stability and psychological health.