introduction

Social Forums Non-Philosophical Chat
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Hello.

Just wanted to introduce myself; I didn’t see a forum for intros so I’m doing it here.

I love philosophy. I am an undergraduate student at Sam Houston State University, in Huntsville Texas. I have also attended Stephen F. Austin state University, Texas State University, and the University of Texas in San Antonio. (Yes I’ve moved around quite a bit.) I would like to go to grad school when I’m done, maybe at the University of Houston.

I am interested in all areas of philosophy, but I have developed an especially keen interest in the Modern period, especially the rationalists.

I am joining this forum in the hopes of exposing myself to lively discussion and debate in philosophy, to learn what I can, to bounce my own ideas off of others, and to hopefully get in touch with contemporary thought on my favorite topics.

Really, there aren’t many people in know in my daily life who share my interest, much less my passion, in such things.

Currently I am working on what is supposed to be an exhaustive essay covering four realms of discussion throughout modernity, namely reason, nature, God, and freedom.

I am also working with a team of students to prepare for a debate entitled “Rationalism vs. Empiricism.”

Thanks for having me.

–Cody Warren

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Welcome, NN. Can you tell us a bit more?–what’s your definition of rationalism and empiricism?–Which philosophers have you read and with whom do you agree the most? That may help get your thread started.

Enjoy your stay at ILP. :smiley:

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Welcome, NN!

Moved to MB as it’s the place for social chatter.

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Welcome, N.N.! Pick a subject and go for it.

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sounds like you will be good for the forum…

watch out for the assholes…

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Thanks for the welcome.

Sorry for the delayed response, I’ve been on Spring Break.

Lizbeth, I am in an undergraduate, general survey of modernity, so I haven’t gotten much in depth with any of these thinkers yet. I have read Descartes ‘Meditations,’ part one of Spinoza’s ‘Ethics,’ pieces of Locke’s ‘Enquiry,’ and pieces of Berkeley’s treatise. I have also read introductory essays on these topics throughout the web from various sources. Most of my information comes from the lecture class I’m currently taking. We have also discussed Liebniz, though focus was much more in his metaphysics than on his theory of knowledge, and the same goes for Spinoza, although I just picked up the Cambridge Companion to Spinoza and hope to get a better grasp on his epistemology. Also, although he is generally not included with “the empiricists,” I do consider Hobbes to be one, so should note that I have read ‘Leviathan’ and enjoyed it very much. Today we will be starting Hume.

My definition of rationalism is this: The claim that reason is the basis of our most fundamental concepts and knowledge; that knowledge may be had [i]a priori[i], independantly of the senses; and further, that while the senses can provide the foundation for some knowledge, they are not necessary for all knowledge.

My definition of empiricism is this: The claim that sense experience is the ultimate source of all our concepts and knowledge.

thus far I am more convinced by rationalism, along the lines of ‘the innate concept thesis.’ It seems to me that the concepts of space/time, and also the ability to use language, are innate and in no way provided by the senses. It also seems to me that in Locke’s writings, the ability he describes in detail, of the brain to compare and contrast ideas in order to create more complex notions which lead to knowledge- it seems that this ability is innate and that he doesn’t account for this.

At this point I do think that the only consistent position for an empiricists is full on skepticism in regard to knowledge.

My favorite thus far is Spinoza, not for epistemology, but because his metaphysics speaks to me and inspires me from within.

I have to go to class now— talk to you all later.

Thanks again for the welcome.

–Cody

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Hello everyone,
Hope you all are fine.I am Richard.
I like to play basketball and internet surfing.
I have something to discussed here.
Hope for a nice time in this forum.

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Hi everyone,My name is Camron and i am newbie here.Hope you all are fine.I see some interesting topic here that i want to discuss.I am employee in a law firm.Hope have a great time here.