Philosophy: Locke's Tabula Rasa Concept

John Locke and Tabula Rasa

• Coined the phrase "tabula rasa," meaning "blank slate," suggesting the human mind is empty at birth.
• Believed all knowledge is obtained through sensory experiences and reflection.
• Distinguished between simple ideas (basic sensory perceptions) and complex ideas (formed by combining and abstracting simple ideas).

David Hume

• Scottish philosopher (1711-1776) known for contributions to epistemology.
• Argued that knowledge stems from sensory experience, with ideas emerging from vivid impressions.
• Critiqued the problem of induction, asserting there's no rational basis for assuming future occurrences will resemble past ones.

René Descartes and Rationalism

• Emphasized reason and logic as sources of knowledge.
• Famous for "Cogito, ergo sum" (I think, therefore I am), finding certainty in one's own existence.
• Employed methodical doubt to question all beliefs, seeking a foundation for knowledge despite doubts about external realities.

Baruch Spinoza

• Dutch philosopher (1632-1677) linked with rationalism and metaphysical system in "Ethics."
• Introduced "intellectual intuition" as a superior way to understand the essence of things through reason.
• Advocated for substance monism, claiming only one substance, "God" or "Nature," defines reality.

Pragmatism

• Philosophy linking knowledge of the world with agency within it, rejecting unverifiable metaphysical claims.
• Focused on empiricism as a basis for knowledge, emphasizing that only statements with empirical support are meaningful.

Rudolf Carnap

• Philosopher, logician, and key figure in the Vienna Circle, central to the development of logical positivism.
• Developed the "logical syntax of language," advocating for precise language analysis to resolve philosophical confusions.
• Supported the verification principle, asserting that meaningful statements must be empirically verifiable or logically analyzable.

Relativism

• Philosophical stance positing that truth and moral values are context-dependent, varying by culture or individual perspective.
• Highlights the environmental responsibility and the impact of human actions on nature and future generations.

Environmental Ethics: Instrumental vs. Intrinsic Value

• Instrumental value refers to the usefulness of objects for achieving other ends.
• Intrinsic value represents worth independent of usefulness, proposing ethical dilemmas regarding nature's worth.

Ecofeminism

• Examines the connections between patriarchal structures and nature exploitation.
• Argues that hierarchical thinking, prevalent in male-dominated societies, contributes to environmental degradation.

Peter Singer's Environmental Philosophy

• Proclaims a moral obligation to protect the environment and all living beings, including non-human animals and future generations.
• Utilitarian philosophy promotes ethical environmentalism prioritizing the reduction of suffering and support for biodiversity.

Aldo Leopold's Land Ethic

• Emphasizes harmonious coexistence with nature and a shared responsibility for preserving the natural world.
• Advocates an ethical framework that recognizes humans as part of the ecological community.

Martin Heidegger's Existential Thought

• Dasein represents being-in-the-world intertwined with time, emphasizing care and presence.
• Suggests that understanding one's existence requires an integration of past experiences with future possibilities.

Intersubjectivity and the I-Thou Relationship

• The I-Thou relationship is characterized by mutual recognition and respect, fostering deep connections.
• Differentiates from the I-It relationship, which objectifies and devalues others, leading to alienation.

Nature of Freedom

• Freedom is the ability to act or think without external constraints, but it must be exercised with consideration for others' rights.