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