Friday, September 29, 2006

Empiricisms

What do you make of empiricism's claim that all of our knowledge is based on the use of our senses? What areas of knowledge do you think support this theory? Are there any types of knowledge (mathematical knowledge, for example?) that you think are a problem for this theory?

I consider that some essential knowledge is built on our sense mainly in the beginning stages. I believe that we find out a lot from our senses. We learn that if we touch a hot object we will be burned, with scientific knowledge we will distinguish it’s hot for the reason that it’s over 100f but without putting the information to the test, we will still be skeptical about it. I think mathematical knowledge goes beyond our senses. Math is based on laws and it makes no logical sense at all to me. I understand math as is. That the laws of math says we must follow certain things



posted by Esther Dee @ 4:16 PM 1 comments

Friday, September 08, 2006

Allegory of the Cave

In the Allegory of the Cave, Socrates suggests that, without philosophical education, we are all like the prisoners in the cave. What are your thoughts on this? How is philosophy supposed to be liberating? Do you think Socrates is right to be so pessimistic about life without philosophy?


I believe he saying if we don't push past what we are familiar with, it's as if we are in a cave. Accepting what we are told and what we are shown. He says we have to get past that familiar and comfortable parts of are minds in order to learn. In life we should deeper in to everything instead accepting things at face value which could possibly be a lie. Philosophy teaches us to go beyond what we know and to think deeper to explore the uncomfortable and the unfamiliar. It helps us learn who we are at the root. I believe he was right to be so pessimistic about life without philosophy because without philosophy and the gadfly of life no telling where we would be. Without people who made America and the world think more and not accept what we are told.

posted by Esther Dee @ 4:02 PM 0 comments

Friday, September 01, 2006

Week 0

Week 0 Friday September. 1, 2006

What would you like to learn in philosophy? What would make this course a worthwhile and enriching experience for you? Perhaps you can discuss this in your first blog post!

I would like to understand more about philosophy in general. Being able to understand things in a complex yet simple way. Showing us ourselves and the box we think in. I feel that this will help remove some of the ignorance that I like to hold on to. What make this course worthwhile is knowing I will get closer to graduating when I pass and what would be an enriching experience is if I is pass this course with an A .

posted by Esther Dee @ 4:25 PM 0 comments