The Modern Era in Philosophy
Philosophical ideas in this era can be divided into several sub-groups. They include empiricism, humanism, and rationalism. Analytic philosophy is also included. Read on to learn more about each of these philosophies. The modern era is marked by a number of developments. Here is a brief overview. Unless otherwise noted, these philosophies are primarily based on empirical evidence.
Empiricism
The central theme of empiricism is that experience is not a subject, and thus the whole world cannot be understood by the mind alone. In order to achieve certainty of knowledge, empiricism ignores the existence of objective reality and the dialectical relation between the subjective and objective contents of knowledge. Nonetheless, empiricism has won many converts who have argued that the mind can be taught more if it is given the freedom to explore its own subjectivity.
Early modern philosophers based their theories on sensory evidence. Early empiricists like Francis Bacon advocated inductive reasoning based on evidence observable by the senses. English scientists of the seventeenth century derived their conclusions from empirical data and a combination of mathematics and imagination. They were also inclined to study nature and the occult. In particular, Isaac Newton studied alchemy, which was an early form of chemistry.
Rationalism
The philosophy of empiricism has argued for centuries that all knowledge is derived from experience, whereas rationalism contends that reason is a faculty that can grasp truths beyond our sense experiences. Rationalism emphasizes the existence of a “natural light” which guides our actions. Similarly, irrationalisms have sought to deny this, stressing biological and volitional aspects of experience, as well as existential aspects.
The rudimentary debate on rationalism reaches back to Plato. Kant, among others, wrote extensively on the pure faculties of reason. But contemporary philosophers have also argued for the virtues of rationalism and have aligned themselves with one or the other side of the debate. However, the debate has not ended. Some philosophers still argue that rationalism is the only way to view the world.
Humanism
The humanist tradition stretches back to ancient Greece, and is largely a tradition of defiance. Although there are no parallel stories from other cultures, some themes of humanism are present in Greek mythology. For example, the story of Prometheus, a human being who rebelled against God by stealing the gods’ fire, is a source of humanist defiance. While he was punished for his actions, he continued to defy even while he was tortured. Humanists have always been able to challenge authority, and the history of humanism in schools is a fascinating case study of how that tradition has developed.
The modern humanism movement is both socially conscious and personally meaningful. It has influenced many areas of human endeavors, from the arts to the sciences, from critique to philanthropy. The humanist movement is also tolerant of alternative ways of life and defends the rights of all humans. If you are interested in understanding humanism and what it has to offer, I strongly recommend that you give it a listen.
Analytic philosophy
While the analytic philosophy of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries has remained popular in some circles, there has been some controversy over its roots. The term “analytic philosophy” comes from the way it was first used to describe a philosophical school. This school has drawn distinctions between logical and analytic approaches. Its main claim to distinction is that it is “objective.”
Although there is no single doctrine associated with analytic philosophy, it is a loose concatenation of approaches that share a strong scientism and humanistic ties to great thinkers and philosophical issues. In Analytic Philosophy in the Modern Era by Avrum Stroll, the modern analytic tradition examines its roots and grapples with the purpose of doing philosophy. Its most influential works include “On Denoting” and “On Objectivity” by Aristotle.
Descartes’ philosophy
The mechanistic implications of Descartes’s philosophical thinking can be seen in his description of the proper approach to knowledge. He abandoned all doubtful beliefs, and used a foundation of perfect certainty. He argued that significant knowledge of the world could only be gained through a mathematical model, and thus rejected sensory information. His philosophy relates to a broad spectrum of issues and concerns, spanning metaphysics, religion, morality, and science.
The work is sometimes referred to as the “Father of Modern Philosophy” because it provides the seed of a new school of thought. The “old” philosophy is that of Aristotle, and was firmly entrenched in medieval intellectual institutions. Commentators argued that the Bible was evidence for the “real world,” and that anyone who refuted Aristotle would be accused of holding a position contrary to the word of God. This argument resulted in numerous oppositions from a wide variety of individuals and organizations.
Humanists’ rediscovered Ancient Greek texts
Rediscovered Ancient Greek texts provide insights into the thinking of humanists. Throughout history, Greek philosophers have been known to pursue the same goals. While they may not have written these texts themselves, the ideas contained within them have inspired modern philosophers. Humanists have embraced ancient texts as inspiration for their own philosophical thinking. Here are some of their key ideas. a. The humanist tradition began with Protagoras.
Renaissance Humanism was a reaction to Catholic scholasticism. The philosophy of this era was rooted in the study of ancient texts and promoted a new social order based on logical thinking. It also focused less on a religious worldview and emphasized reason and logic in society. In fact, many modern philosophers attribute their ideas to the humanists’ study of ancient texts.
Empiricists rejigged stylistic refinements
In the modern era, empiricists sought to combine ideas of British empiricism, which stressed the importance of sensory experience as the basis of knowledge, with insights from mathematical logic and Ludwig Wittgenstein. Members of the Vienna Circle, including Otto Neurath, Hans Reichenbach, and Rudo Carnap, were influential in this movement.
Reassurance
Reassurance in the modern era of philosophy is crucial for those who want to live happy, content lives. Often, a philosophy course will provide a foundation for life after graduate school. While some courses focus on specific areas of philosophy, others will be a synthesis of many disciplines. This broad range of topics allows for new research to be conducted. The discipline of philosophy is a critical part of the exploration of the human condition.
Epistemological turn
The epistemological turn in modern philosophy has been a major mistake, and in many ways it is lacking in essentials. Charles Taylor questions the representationalist conception of epistemology that Descartes posited. History of science has shown that Descartes’ image of a rational, autonomous mind ran counter to the concrete practices of science. Instead, Taylor advocates a community-based epistemology, which emphasizes the power of community to provide information to those who seek it.
This change in philosophical thought has caused many to question the assumptions and principles that they have long held. While some philosophical issues are no longer under discussion, others have fallen into the background. This diversity has made philosophy remarkably pluralistic, and many groups and associations now exist that claim to be engaged in this field. Here are some of the main examples of this turn. This article will discuss some of the most salient ones. So, what does it mean to be an epistemologist?
