Locke, Berkeley, & Empiricism: Crash Course Philosophy #6

Summary

This Crash Course Philosophy episode explores empiricism as a response to skepticism, focusing on the debate between rationalism and the reliance on sensory experience for knowledge. It discusses Rene Descartes' radical skepticism leading to 'Cogito ergo sum' and John Locke's theory of 'tabula rasa', where all knowledge comes from experience. Locke's distinction between primary and secondary qualities is highlighted, and George Berkeley's idealist conclusion that 'esse est percepi'—'to be is to be perceived'—is examined, ultimately positing God as the Ultimate Perceiver maintaining the existence of all things.

Takeaways

• 🧐 Empiricism is introduced as a philosophical approach that emphasizes the role of the senses as the most reliable source of knowledge, contrasting with rationalism which relies on reason and deduction.
• 🤔 Descartes' skepticism and his famous 'Cogito, ergo sum' (I think, therefore I am) is highlighted as a starting point for building knowledge, despite his focus on immaterial beliefs.
• 📚 John Locke's concept of 'tabula rasa' (blank slate) is presented, suggesting that all knowledge is acquired through experience, rejecting innate ideas.
• 🍏 Locke's distinction between primary and secondary qualities of objects is explained, with primary qualities being inherent to objects and secondary qualities being subjective perceptions.
• 🔍 The script discusses the limitations of relying solely on the senses, as they can sometimes provide false information, a point of agreement between Locke and Descartes.
• 🍎 Locke's example of an apple is used to illustrate primary qualities (weight, size, shape, and motion) and secondary qualities (color, taste, texture, smell, and sound).
• 🔄 George Berkeley's critique of Locke's distinction is presented, arguing that primary and secondary qualities cannot be separated and that all qualities are perceptions.
• 🌀 Berkeley's philosophy, leading to the conclusion that 'esse est percepi' (to be is to be perceived), suggesting that matter does not exist independently of perception.
• 😲 The script raises the existential implications of Berkeley's philosophy, where the cessation of perception could mean the end of existence for objects and even oneself.
• 👼 Berkeley's solution to this conundrum is the belief in God as the Ultimate Perceiver, maintaining the existence of objects even when not perceived by humans.
• 🔮 The episode ends with a teaser for the next part of the series, hinting at Karl Popper's potential to offer a solution to the dilemma posed by Berkeley's idealism.

Q & A

What is the main theme of the Crash Course Philosophy video discussed in the script?

The main theme of the video is the exploration of empiricism as a response to skepticism, focusing on the philosophical ideas of John Locke and George Berkeley, and their impact on understanding the nature of reality and truth.

Who is the philosopher that the video script suggests we might question the reality of, including the apple and the speaker themselves?

The script suggests that through the power of empiricism, we might question the reality of the speaker, the apple, and even the viewer's own existence.

What philosophical stance did Rene Descartes take in response to skepticism, and what was his famous assertion?

Rene Descartes took a rationalist stance in response to skepticism, and his famous assertion was 'Cogito ergo sum' or 'I think, therefore I am'.

What is the difference between rationalism and empiricism as two responses to skepticism?

Rationalism, like that of Descartes and Plato, believes that the most real things in life are ideas known through pure reason, while empiricism, as advocated by John Locke, holds that the most reliable source of knowledge is our senses and experiences.

What did John Locke believe about human knowledge at birth?

John Locke believed that humans are born as a 'tabula rasa' or a blank slate, meaning all knowledge is obtained through experience and not innate.

What is the distinction Locke made between primary and secondary qualities?

Locke distinguished between primary qualities, which are inherent in objects themselves (like solidity, extension, figure, and mobility), and secondary qualities, which are perceived in the mind through the primary qualities (like color, taste, texture, smell, and sound).

How did George Berkeley challenge Locke's distinction between primary and secondary qualities?

Berkeley argued that primary and secondary qualities cannot be separated, as they are inextricably linked in perception, leading him to conclude that there is no such thing as matter, and 'to be is to be perceived'.

What is Berkeley's famous assertion that reflects his philosophical stance on the nature of existence?

Berkeley's famous assertion is 'esse est percepi', which means 'to be is to be perceived', suggesting that existence is solely dependent on perception.

What role does Berkeley believe God plays in maintaining the existence of objects?

Berkeley believed that God is the Ultimate Perceiver, whose constant perception holds objects in existence even when humans are not perceiving them.

What is the potential problem with Berkeley's philosophy according to the script?

The potential problem with Berkeley's philosophy is that it implies the existence of everything is dependent on perception, which contradicts our belief in the physical world's independent existence.

What is the sponsor of the Crash Course Philosophy series mentioned in the script?

The sponsor of the Crash Course Philosophy series is Squarespace, a platform for creating websites, blogs, and online stores.