Describe how both the empiricist and the rationalist would explain how we gain knowledge.
Epistemology is defined as the study of knowledge. It involves psychology, since psychology is concerned about the determination of how knowledge about themselves and world is gained by humans. Empiricist and rationalist have different views regarding the knowledge attainment.
Empiricist:
1. It is insisted by radical empiricist that the derivation of all knowledge occurs from sensory experience, which the brain somehow stores and registers.
2. A passive mind in which physical experiences are recorded as associations, mental images and recollections is postulated by empiricists for answering epistemological questions. Physical reality is represented by a passive mind.
3. According to empiricist, knowledge includes the physical reality which is described accurately in the form, the sensory experience reveals it and the mind records it.
Rationalist:
1. The rationalist insists that to attain knowledge, sensory information is the first step which is later transformed actively in mind.
2. An active mind, in which the interaction and transformation of data obtained from experience, is postulated by rationalists for answering epistemological questions. Organization, understanding, valuation or ponderation of physical reality is the function if active mind.
3. According to rationalist, knowledge includes principles and concepts which are attained from an active, pondering mind.