The Consequences of Ideas - Chapter 7
Metaphysical Skepticism
a type of local skepticism which denies any metaphysical knowledge
Subjectivism
The philosophical theory that treats all knowledge as merely relative, there is no absolute truth
empirically
based on observations or experiment
Rationalism
belief in reason and logic as the primary source of knowledge
Mechanistic Universe
The idea that all phenomena in the universe can be explained entirely through the motion of matter under physical law.
transcendent
going beyond the limits of ordinary experience
proximate
(especially of the cause of something) closest in relationship; immediate
Skepticism
A philosophy which suggests that nothing can ever be known for certain.
Axioms
A statement or proposition which is regarded as being established, accepted, or self-evidently true.
epistemology
BRANCH OF PHILOSOPHY THAT EXAMINES THE NATURE OF KNOWLEDGE
Cartesian Dualism
Descartes's view that all of reality could ultimately be reduced to mind and matter.
individuated
Distinguished from others of the same kind
Nominalists
a member of a school of thought in medieval Europe that, following Aristotle, held that only individual objects are real and that universals are only names created by humans
parlance
a particular manner or kind of speech
precludes
prevent from happening; make impossible
causality
the notion that a change in one factor results in a corresponding change in another
eschews
to avoid something on purpose