Rationalism VS Empiricism

       Under the umbrella of Epistemology lie two (2) opposing stones of the foundation of knowledge. One rests on reason while the other on experience. Which is which?

            Rationalism, from the Greek word “ratio” which means reason, is a school of thought that acknowledges reason as the primary starting point of knowledge. It stresses the fact that a human being is called as a rational animal because he has the faculty of reason including logic and mathematics. Thus, we find the answers to our questions by thinking logically. Also, this view holds the idea that we are born with ready-made tools for creativity. In other words, we have our innate knowledge with us which in turn allows us to organize our experiences in the world. It is just another way of saying that humans are born with a mind populated with several concepts of knowledge ready for use. Rene Descartes, a French philosopher, is the key proponent of Rationalism. He developed doubt to almost everything even on his own existence. However, as he was on this doubting stage, he began to realize that he was also thinking. And this has led him to conclude with his famous line “Cogito ergo sum – I think, therefore I exist.”

            Empiricism, on the other hand, is the negation of Rationalism. This covers the idea that the sole source of knowledge is experience as apprehended by the senses. John Locke, a strong advocate of this view, gave rise to the concept of human mind as that of a blank slate or popularly known as “tabula raza” theory. This asserts that there is no such thing as innate knowledge and that we are born with nothing in our minds. But as time progresses, we begin to fill it up with knowledge base on our experiences. As a matter of fact, according to this theory, innate knowledge is not observable and is therefore unreliable. In the same way, no matter how brilliant a man is, still he will not be able to evaluate everything in isolation and will not have the ability to form ideas prior to having an experience. A classic example to which the Empiricists reckon about is the notion of colors. If innate knowledge really exists, then how can a man born blind distinguish one color from another? How can he determine that “black” is black and “red” is red? It is only through experience with the aid of the sense of sight that he can be able to know these things. To this account, they came to an end that sensory experience truly prevails. Nevertheless, rationalists also insinuated their stand that if we are nothing other than what we experience in life, then we are just like machines being manipulated by our very own experience. If sensory experience is the sole source of knowledge, then how can it justify the existence of God? We have not seen God, yet we acknowledge his presence?

            This philosophical battle brings about a healthy dispute of ideas with regards to the source of knowledge. However, to reconcile the situation, we can say that both of the said views contain a strong point to stress about. Rationalism and Empiricism are both sources of knowledge. We have our reasoning faculty as an innate factor within us. And it is our experience which strengthens it. Though Empiricism tells us that experience is the best teacher, still the truth about Rationalism cannot be denied. In simple sense, one is connected with the other.

Additionally, we should take into consideration that God is the universal source of knowledge. Everything originates from Him. Without Him, nothing will ever exist, not even reason nor experience.  

my favorite lines

1. Give God what's right -- not what's left.

2. A lot of kneeling will keep you in good standing.

3. He who kneels before God can stand before anyone.

4. In the sentence of life, the devil may be a comma--but never let him be the period.

5. Don't put a question mark where God puts a period.

6. Are you wrinkled with burden? Come to the church for a face-lift.

7. When praying, don't give God instructions - just report for duty.

8. We don't change God's message -- His message changes us.

9. The church is prayer-conditioned.

10. WARNING: Exposure to the Son may prevent burning.

11. Plan ahead -- It wasn't raining when Noah built the ark.

12. Suffering from truth decay? Brush up on your Bible.

13. Exercise daily -- walk with the Lord.

14. Never give the devil a ride -- he will always want to drive.

15. Give Satan an inch & he'll be a ruler.

God cares for us .. God loves us! :)

meet the dot

      A typical dot has been living this big world of quest for 19 years and 4 months already and will continue to exist until the Maker cuts the rope. From the moment the dot opened her eyes to the vast realities of life, she began to look for those necessary means to express the little voices within her. Just the thought of putting them into words causes her mind to do somersault. It may not be that important for others though, but for this dot it is.

     Giving justice to her thoughts is one of the important factors occupying her territory of thinking. She believes that the yell inside her should go out from its cave and be enunciated. However, shouting it in the seaside of the earth can do no good to her objective. Saying it orally to someone or in a group would also mean fluctuation from her thinking appetite. To this sense, the dot met writing and found out that it is the character that she has been looking for. Yes, she did write! She wrote her poems on unused notebooks, and her stories and essays on bond papers. She ended up keeping her outputs to herself, or if not she’d show it to her mom. Little by little, she improved; her audience increased. Soon, she began to love the art. But then, somehow, there is lacking with the dot’s way.  She felt that something is needed to customize the situation - something cool and trendy. What could the best way be? Where could it be hiding? And so the dot searched. With the technology surrounding her environment, she was urged to use it as a tool for her goal to be realized. But time to her seems to be so aloof. And it was only NOW that the dot pursued to do the act.  Blogging.  Yes, it is!

     With that desire to express the thoughts kicking in her mental apparatus in a more comfortable way, this dot started to write a blog. She really did hope that she have started doing this thing even before. Anyways, too much for regrets!

     This dot has been through a lot. But her journey persists and continues.

     This dot aspires for expression; not by merely saying it now and forgetting it afterwards, but one that perpetuates through time. This dot writes. This dot is me.

The Book and Me

           Books have always been part of our lives. As a matter of fact, it is said that aside from dogs, books can be man’s best friend. They are never disloyal. Instead, they serve as the most accessible and constant friend of ours. But the question is: Do we really consider each and every book our friend regardless of their appearance? Or are we the same with those people who love new books and hate old ones?

            The most common scenario when you decide to read a book is that you tend to scan first the pages and see if there are colorful pictures and images in it. In the same way, if you do not like the cover of the book because it is probably worn out, you often dump it in the corner and look for something else. Poor book! Everybody thinks he is boring to read. People are becoming too judgmental on the basis of what they see in the outside. They do not even mind reading what are written on its pages.

            I am saying all these issues because I see myself as a book. I know exactly the feeling of being rejected and judged by many, just as how the book was. But, despite all those things, I am not sorry for myself. Rather, I feel sorry for the persons who then made conclusions based on what they see in the outside of me. Just like a book, they have not yet read all of my pages. Therefore, they should not put a period on their judgments. Who knows, if they get to know me more, they might discover that I am not the kind of person who they think I am.  The same also with the book, if only people will read the whole of it, they might say it is more interesting than what they have thought it to be.

            In my symbolism, Humanities is definitely at work! From its meaning, “the best that man has created,” the book as an object is one of those great accomplishments that man has ever done. It continues to contribute to the development of man, thus making it one of the roads to knowledge.

            In conclusion, we must learn to value every person in our life regardless of their appearance, mental capacity, religion and belief. We must treat every single dot in this world fairly, not only our fellow human beings but all the things around us. Be it to animals, or even to object like books.