Philosophy Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Philosophy - Assignment Example This therefore requires using the senses and consistent with the rationalist thought. To illustrate a posteoriori thinking, we can cite ourselves as an example by either touching ourselves or seeing ourselves in the mirror to validate that we indeed exist and has physical presence. In sum, posteoriori is an acquired knowledge and contingent truth. b. A priori - A priori can be likened to an acquired knowledge and necessary truths. These are knowledge that is independent of the observation of our sensory perceptions to validate its truth. These are truths and knowledge that does not validation of the physical world to justify. For example, we can use the statement that â€Å"Sarah is a mother† because it would imply that by using a distinctly feminine name, we will realize that it is only women who could be mother. It does not need any justification in the outside world nor further investigation because we just know that it is only women who can give birth or become a mother because it is only them who has the physical facility to bear a child and it follows that men cannot bear child because their body will not allow it. There are however exemptions to the priori mode of thinking such as Anselm’s ontological premise in arguing in the premise of the existence of God. His argument purports to a priori proof of God’s existence which is independent of any proof or observation. He argued that because God is God, His existence does not need to be validated by experience to justify that He exists. He concludes that because there is nothing that exists to be greater than God, then it is unimaginable to think that there is no God. c. Innate ideas – is also known as Descartes Theory of Ideas. These are ideas that are inherent in man or natural attribute of thought. Albeit this theory of knowledge was not expounded extensively in a treatise such as other works, innate ideas was mentioned in a letter to Guillaume