Theories%20of%20Human%20Nature

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Theories of Human Nature

• 4220 6.0 D

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Lecture Introduction

• Ontological problem What is human nature?
• Epistemological problem How does one know what
  human nature is? How do I know?

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Epistemology

• What is the essence of knowledge?
• Knowledge is
• A process
• A result
• Objective
• Subjective
• Absolute
• Relative

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Is knowledge possible?

• Kants context
• Dogmatism Simple confidence in the ability to
  achieve knowledge.
• Skepticism Doubting the possibilities of
  knowledge.
• Criticism Knowledge is possible under certain
  circumstances.

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What is the relationship between reality and
knowledge

• Realism There exists a reality independent of
  our mind.
• Idealism Reality is constructed in our mind
  (e.g., solipsism reality exists only in my
  imagination).

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What are the means for achieving knowledge?

• Authority Reference to institutions, teachers,
  books.
• Rationalism Knowledge can (only) be obtained
  through human reason (lat. ratio). A priori
  knowledge. E.g., R. Descartes.
• Empiricism Knowledge derives from our senses and
  experience. Knowledge is developed a posteriori.
  E.g., J. Locke (1632-1704).

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What are the means for achieving knowledge?

• Kant's Criticism Merging rationalism and
  empiricism. Concepts without perceptions are
  empty, perceptions without concepts are blind.
• Irrationalism Knowledge through intuition,
  emotion, revelation. Truth in painting, in
  literature, in music!
• Pragmatism Emphasizes the practical
  consequences of theories, definitions, ideas, and
  concepts.