Chapter 1: Thinking clearly and learning from experience: the
beginning of our new world
Linguistic Analysis
- is concerned with finding the exact meaning of words
- The 2 most popular exponents were: - Bertrand Russel
:- AJ Ayer
- claims that if we fail to solve a problem no matter how much we try, we are dealing
with a meaningless set of words
- Based on the thinking of : - Ludwig Wittgerstein
:- Bertrand Russell
- Russel and Ayer focused on: -
o Logic
o Linguistic analysis
o Verifiable facts
- Ludwig Wattgerstein moved away from supporting linguistic analysis because of his
experiences in World War 1
Can help us with Can’t help us with
Think More Clearly Be precise in what we mean
Be precise in what we mean Life choices
Spot hidden assumptions in arguments Facing our own mortality
Be aware of manipulation and dishonesty in all Seeing the people we love suffer
forms of propaganda, including the mass media
Our own suffering
Logic
- The philosophical movement that focused on linguistic analysis also focused on Logic
- The aim of logic philosophy is to get to the “bare bones” of truth
Empiricism
- Emphasizes that experience gives us our most reliable form of knowledge
- Modern science is based on
- Based on the empirical belief that what is true is confirmed or disproved by sense
experience
EDC1015 Exam Prep Page 1
, Can help us with Failings
Understand how our physical world operates Places too much emphasis on science
Test the truth of certain claims Ignores human values
Refute what is false Views human beings as machines
Respect the natural laws of the Universe Tends to ignore anything that cannot be explained
scientifically
Learn from experience It confines truth to that which can be experienced
through the senses
- The consequences if empiricism as a method of enquiry is ignored: -
o Fail to learn from our experiences and in the process make ourselves vulnerable to
anything that is safe
Logical Empiricism
- Formed by but together Linguistic analysis, logical symbolism and empiricism
(Formed the school of British Philosophy)
- Also known as Logical Positivism
Chapter 2: Asking questions: challenging what the world tells
us
Critical Rationalism
- Concerned with ‘questioning and open-mindedness’
- Karl Popper is the most famous representative
- Four people was promoted by:
o Nelson Mandela
o Albert Einstein
o Stephen Hawking
o Karl Popper
- Five characteristics:
o Claim that values must be open for debate
o Believe human beings can solve their problems by thinking clearly and by
discussing everything openly
o Question what we’re told and should carefully examine our own ideas
o Focus on avoiding falsity
o Ask the question: “Are we sure we’re right?”
EDC1015 Exam Prep Page 2
beginning of our new world
Linguistic Analysis
- is concerned with finding the exact meaning of words
- The 2 most popular exponents were: - Bertrand Russel
:- AJ Ayer
- claims that if we fail to solve a problem no matter how much we try, we are dealing
with a meaningless set of words
- Based on the thinking of : - Ludwig Wittgerstein
:- Bertrand Russell
- Russel and Ayer focused on: -
o Logic
o Linguistic analysis
o Verifiable facts
- Ludwig Wattgerstein moved away from supporting linguistic analysis because of his
experiences in World War 1
Can help us with Can’t help us with
Think More Clearly Be precise in what we mean
Be precise in what we mean Life choices
Spot hidden assumptions in arguments Facing our own mortality
Be aware of manipulation and dishonesty in all Seeing the people we love suffer
forms of propaganda, including the mass media
Our own suffering
Logic
- The philosophical movement that focused on linguistic analysis also focused on Logic
- The aim of logic philosophy is to get to the “bare bones” of truth
Empiricism
- Emphasizes that experience gives us our most reliable form of knowledge
- Modern science is based on
- Based on the empirical belief that what is true is confirmed or disproved by sense
experience
EDC1015 Exam Prep Page 1
, Can help us with Failings
Understand how our physical world operates Places too much emphasis on science
Test the truth of certain claims Ignores human values
Refute what is false Views human beings as machines
Respect the natural laws of the Universe Tends to ignore anything that cannot be explained
scientifically
Learn from experience It confines truth to that which can be experienced
through the senses
- The consequences if empiricism as a method of enquiry is ignored: -
o Fail to learn from our experiences and in the process make ourselves vulnerable to
anything that is safe
Logical Empiricism
- Formed by but together Linguistic analysis, logical symbolism and empiricism
(Formed the school of British Philosophy)
- Also known as Logical Positivism
Chapter 2: Asking questions: challenging what the world tells
us
Critical Rationalism
- Concerned with ‘questioning and open-mindedness’
- Karl Popper is the most famous representative
- Four people was promoted by:
o Nelson Mandela
o Albert Einstein
o Stephen Hawking
o Karl Popper
- Five characteristics:
o Claim that values must be open for debate
o Believe human beings can solve their problems by thinking clearly and by
discussing everything openly
o Question what we’re told and should carefully examine our own ideas
o Focus on avoiding falsity
o Ask the question: “Are we sure we’re right?”
EDC1015 Exam Prep Page 2
