Philosophize This! Episode #039 ... The Limits of Empiricism
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Oct 8, 2014 Dive into the intriguing limits of human perception and discover how our senses shape our understanding of reality. Explore the clash between deductive and inductive reasoning, illustrated through references to both crime scenes and science shows. Delve into Locke's theory on primary vs. secondary qualities, revealing the nuances of how we perceive the world. Plus, get a sneak peek into Berkeley's thought-provoking assertion that 'to be is to be perceived.' A captivating journey into the realm of philosophy awaits!
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A Shift in Worldview
- 17th-century thinkers experienced a shift in their worldview due to new inventions.
- The telescope and microscope revealed the vastness of space and the intricate micro-worlds, challenging existing beliefs about Earth's significance and the nature of reality.
Limitations of Perception
- Human eyes, while useful for survival, have limitations in perceiving the true nature of reality.
- Our senses create a map of the world that is accurate enough for practical purposes, but it doesn't reveal the underlying reality of atoms and empty space.
The Search for Certainty
- 17th-century thinkers sought a system for achieving absolute certainty about the natural world.
- They aimed to overcome the limitations of human bias and flawed senses to access true reality.