A Comparative Analysis of Rationalism and Empiricism in Philosophy

This essay delves into the philosophical concepts of rationalism and empiricism, highlighting their fundamental differences and historical significance. It examines rationalism's emphasis on innate ideas and reason, contrasting it with empiricism's focus on sensory experience and acquired knowledge. The essay explores the significance of mathematics, particularly geometry, for rationalism, referencing figures like Rene Descartes and Plato's theory of innate ideas. It also analyzes Plato's Meno and its relevance to innate ideas, while addressing rationalism's challenges in relation to experimental science and the development of scientific rationalism. The essay provides a comprehensive overview, supported by academic references, offering insights into the ongoing debate between these two central philosophical viewpoints. The essay covers topics like the difference between rationalism and empiricism, significance of mathematics, and the significance of innate ideas for rationalism. The essay also covers Plato’s The Meno and its significance for innate ideas and rationalism’s difficulty with experimental science.

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Difference between rationalism and empiricism
There is an important difference between these two concepts. In particular, it can be said
that the two terms are contradictory to each other. Rationalism is the concept or belief for the
inherited ideas and reasons. On the other hand, Empiricism is the kind of belief for the sense
perception, instruction, and neglects the innate concepts. Rationalism includes the process of
believing the innate ideas indicating the notions a person bears from the time of birth. It can
occur through reincarnation (Vaidya, 2017). Plato is the right one to describe this theory.
Contrarily, empiricism is the kind of acquired knowledge as mentioned by John Locke and
categorized into simple and complex one.
Significance of Mathematics, particularly geometry, for rationalism
In terms of rationalism, Rene Descartes provided the reason claiming by resolving the
idea that cannot be attained through certainty. The author mentioned numerous mathematical
claims including ‘the internal angles of a triangle add up to 180 degrees’. Majority of the
philosophers accept the Mathematical truths as a necessary factor known as known as priori
(Marshall, 2019). Considering the particular factor of Geometry, it is the study about the
properties along with the relationship of points, angles, lines, solids, and surfaces.
The significance of innate ideas for rationalism
The rationalism is the view that considers the main sources and idea that innately curated
in the human mind. Hence, it is very significant for the study of rationalism. They avoid the
concept that human being can learn things by experiencing other things. Hence, rationalism
believes in the truths about mathematical calculations as mentioned by Leibniz that provide
importance to the possible worlds. Hence, Plato argued that the sources of innate ideas are the

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human soul. He also mentioned that, the human being forget the innate ideas due to the trauma of
entering the soul into the body.
Plato’s The Meno and its significance for innate ideas
Plato’s Meno demonstrates the ethical concept found by Socrates. It depicts the argument
of whether the concept of virtue can be taught and the ability to become an inconclusive quest
for the effect of the elusive virtue or kindness of human in common (Palumbo, 2017). Hence,
both the concepts of Socrates and Plato indicates that the partial knowledge of human being are
innate not the entire concepts.
Rationalism’s difficulty with experimental science
As mentioned in Plato’s theory, some of the human knowledge are innate. The modern
theorists consider this topic as debatable and stress for the empirical believes about the acquired
knowledge through experiences. According to the scientific study of Berkeley over rationalism
followed by the formation of modern science (Vanzo, 2016). To put it simply, it can be said that
rationalist can rely on logic and reason rather than only believing in emotions and religious
doctrines. Hence, the modern philosophers consider the term as scientific rationalism without
corrupting the basic meaning of rationalism. Along with this, scientific rationalism should be the
main reason for enlightenment.

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References
Marshall, M. (2019). Socrates’ defensible devices in Plato’s Meno. Theory and Research in
Education, 17(2), 165-180.
Palumbo, L. (2017). Soul, Triangle and Virtue. On the Figure of Implicit Comparison in Plato’s
Meno. Peitho. Examina Antiqua, 8(1), 201-212.
Vaidya, A. J. (2017). Modal knowledge: Beyond rationalism and empiricism. In Modal
epistemology after rationalism (pp. 85-114). Springer, Cham.
Vanzo, A. (2016). Empiricism and rationalism in nineteenth-century histories of
philosophy. Journal of the History of Ideas, 77(2), 253-282.