Empiricism (lectured by ven. Vanaratana) 18th of March, 2011
LISTEN >>>
B.P.G 302 Lectured by ven. Wannarathana, recorded by ven. Mon monk Nai Suriya, 18th of March, 2011
LISTEN >>>
B.P.G 302 Lectured by ven. Wannarathana, recorded by ven. Mon monk Nai Suriya, 1st of April, 2011
Empiricism is a theory of knowledge that emphasizes the role of experience that one can get through sense perception. Empiricism refutes rationalism. The notion innate idea is discounted (not taken seriously/not considered) in empiricism. According to the philosophy of science empiricism is a theory of knowledge which signifies those aspects of scientific knowledge that are related to experience.
The word empiricism has come to English from Greek and Latin languages. It was derived from the Greek word 'empiria', which means the practical experience. According to Greeks, empiria is the skill that one gets through practical experience. The word empiricism has been derived from the Latin word 'experientia', which means 'experience'.
Empiricism is often contrasted from rationalism – the theory, that holds the idea that mind may understand some truths without the help of sense experience. Empiricism is very much related to materialism with a view to stick to their standpoints. Empiricists have introduced a theory, that there is nothing in the intellect that would not be previously perceived by any of senses. Empiricists reject deductive theory (a theory of knowledge of God through thinking) and direct knowledge. According to them reasoning is not a way to new knowledge.
History of Empiricism
The idea of empiricism goes back to Greek period. Greeks defined empiricism as a source of knowledge. Epicures, who lived in Greek period, came out with the idea now called empiricism. Because of the great Greek philosophers Plato and Aristotle, who were rationalists, as they used in Greek the idea of empirical knowledge, empiricism did not become popular. Epicures argued against rationalism. According to him, at the birth of a person mind is clean/pure, like a white sheet of paper, which gradually becomes stocked with ideas gained by sense-perception. Idea of empiricism was systematically discussed by Epicures. According to his teaching, human concepts depend on empirical knowledge.
Empiricism B (lectured by ven. Rideegama Wanarathana) 1st of April, 2011
The theory of empiricism became more systematic in the 14th century. William Okham introduced his theory of empiricism even more clearly. As Okham understands, all knowledge that exists in the nature, comes through senses. This knowledge is helpful to understand the nature of the world differently according to the individual.
The most important defender of empiricism, in the beginning of modern philosophy was Francis Bacon. Though he understood the influence of scientific thought, he did not reject the apriori knowledge. Bacon argued, that the true knowledge is empirical, basic knowledge of the natural world. It should be followed by the scientific findings of observation, using scientific research methods. Further, he said, that ordinary sense perception cannot be trusted. There must be an experiential method, that after is appearance could be corrected in the ordinary sense experience.
John Locke on empiricism
John Locke explained character of mind in his book “Concerning Human Understanding”. He explained his theories under the influence of scientific methods, i.e., observation, introspection and experiment. Locke held the view, that mind is clear as a slate, in the beginning – 'tabula rasa'.
George Berkeley
George Berkeley was an idealist. According to him individual cannot know any real existence of an object or matter behind the appearance of the object, as they are perceived. Therefore, he concluded, that all individuals know about an object as their perception of it. He said, that there is no existence of matter independent on perception. The question is, whether the physical object exists when we do not perceive it. Answer is, that physical object exists. If it exists, there must be a person, who perceives it. Who is that person? Berkeley says, that it is the God. Empirical theories of both Berkeley and Locke are incomplete, because they could not explain (deal with) empiricism perfectly.
David Hume on empiricism
David Hume endeavored/tried to explain empiricism avoiding the difficulties that Locke and Berkeley faced. When we talk about empiricism, we should not try to find reasons (think logically), but we should experience the object. Hume mentioned the idea that all knowledge we get cannot be based on reason from the empirical point of view. According to him, our beliefs are more accumulated sense experience. Every effect is based on a cause. He gave an example for causality. When a person beats a drum, a sound is produced. It is wrong, if we say that cause and effect determine everything. No one can predict the future observing the past.
Buddhist view on empiricism
The Buddha is an empiricist. According to Saṅgārava Sutta (Majjhima Nikāya), Buddhism can be regarded as experientialism. Concerning both sensory perception and extra-sensory perception, according to the Buddhist point of view, materialists are not experientialists because they did not extra-sensory perception. According to Mahā Kammavibhaṅga Sutta and Culla Kammavibhaṅga Sutta (Majjhima Nikāya) the Buddha gave an explanation of rebirth and suffering of people in hell through his extra-sensory perception. Brahmanimantika Sutta of Majjhima Nikāya and Pāyāsi Sutta of Dīgha Nikāya mention the existence and nature of the planets in galaxy. The Buddha explained these things, having perceived/known them through extra-sensory perception. (Mahā Moggallāna had similar ability.)
It can be achieved through development of mind and through meditation. According to the Kālāma Sutta of Majjhima Nikāya, knowledge is to be gained by direct experience. It also asks not to apprehend the authority.
Scholars' view on Buddhist experientialism
Buddhism is based on empirical knowledge. In its approach to human problems and resolutions the Buddha has emphasized, that anyone, who follows the path prescribed by Him, can achieve the goal without help of any agent (God). There are five important factors pertaining to empirical approach in Buddhist teaching:
1. It is very advantageous and visible in this very life (sandiṭṭhika)
2. It gives immediate results and it is timeless (akāliko)
3. It is open to all and free from any secrecy and it can be examined (ehi passiko)
4. It can be entered upon (followed) and it leads to Nibbāna (opanayiko)
5. It is to be realized by the wise, individually (paccattaṃ veditabbo viññūhi)
These five points are very important in regards to empirical knowledge, because this can be understood through features of empirical knowledge.
According to Buddhist teaching, mind is unblemished. According to John Locke, mind has no innate ideas. There is nothing in the mind that has not come through sense experience. Human gains knowledge through sense-organs. There are two sources of ideas – 'sensation' and 'reflection'. Sensation and reflection can be classified under two groups, as 'simple' and 'complex'. Simple ideas cannot be analyzed. Complex ideas can be analyzed.
E.g., sensation → something → rose flower
X reflection → something → smoothness, pleasant smell, it is red
Collection of simple knowledge that one gets through their perception.
Assignment:
1. Vajirā Sutta in Saṃyutta Nikāya
2. Poṭṭhapāda Sutta in Dīgha Nikāya
3. Alagaddūpama Sutta in Majjhima Nikāya
4. Madhupiṇḍika Sutta in Majjhima Nikāya
5. “Early Buddhist Theory of Knowledge”, K. N. Jayatilaka
6. “Language, Truth and Logic”, Ayer, (page 21 and 41)