Rationalism and empiricism are two contrasting philosophical approaches to gaining knowledge. Rationalism emphasizes the role of reason and logic in acquiring knowledge, asserting that certain truths can be known through reason alone, without relying on sensory experience. Empiricism, on the other hand, asserts that knowledge is primarily derived from sensory experience and observation. While rationalism highlights intuition and mathematical or logical knowledge, empiricism prioritizes experimental science and sensory experience as the major sources of knowledge.
The distinction between the two is primarily drawn by reference to their objects: sense experience allows us to acquire knowledge of external[3]. One of the main issues in the debate between rationalism and empiricism is that almost no author falls neatly into one camp or another. For instance, Descartes, commonly regarded as a representative rationalist, had clear empiricist leanings, particularly in natural philosophy, where sense experience plays a crucial role[3].
In summary, the main difference between rationalism and empiricism lies in their emphasis on the sources of knowledge: rationalism prioritizes reason and logic, while empiricism prioritizes sensory experience and experimentation.
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