Epistemology Flashcards
(14 cards)
What is the definition of a priori knowledge?
A priori knowledge means before experience (independent of experience)
What is the definition of a posteriori knowledge?
A posteriori knowledge means ‘after experience’ (dependent on experience)
What do empiricists believe?
That the origin of knowledge lies in sensory experience (links to a posteriori knowledge)
What do rationalists believe in?
That the origin of knowledge is from our mind (links to a priori knowledge).
What is Innatism?
The idea that some of our knowledge is not derived from experience but is a part of the structure of our mind.
What is synthetic knowledge?
A proposition that is not analytic and tells us about how the world is.
What is analytic knowledge?
A proposition that is true purely because the meaning of the word (thus not adding anything to our knowledge of the world).
What is a contingent truth?
A contingent truth is a truth that could be considered false depending on the circumstances.
What is a necessary truth?
One that must be true/always will be no matter the circumstances.
What does non-contradiction mean?
It is I,possible for something to be possible yet impossible
What was the first point in Lezbiens theory?
A posteriori experience only tells us about specific instances.
What was the 2nd point of Lizbiens theory?
No amount of experience can tell us how things must be.
What is the 3rd point of lezbiens theory?
It is impossible for something to be and not be at the same time.
What is the 4th point of Lezbiens theory?
Experience only tells us how things are but nit how things must be.
So we know that no contradiction is always true.
