Political philosophyLesson 1 of 3 in the course Contemporary Philosophies and Social Theories

Enlightenment Thought, Positivism, and the Rise of Empirical Sociology

5 flashcards · 5 quiz questions · 5 match pairs · 5 fill-in sentences · English

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Summary

The Enlightenment encouraged the belief that human reason and systematic study could expand knowledge and improve society. This lesson explores the relationship between rationalism and empiricism, Immanuel Kant’s account of ethical progress, and the mixed results of Enlightenment-era change.

Rationalism treats reason as a primary source of knowledge. René Descartes argued that some truths can be established through thought without relying on sensory experience. His famous statement, “I think therefore I am,” expresses the certainty he found in the act of thinking. Basic mathematics, such as the claim that one plus one equals two, illustrates knowledge reached through reasoning rather than repeated observation.

All flashcards

Rationalism
An approach that treats reason as a primary source of knowledge.
Empiricism
An approach that emphasizes knowledge from experience, observation, and evidence.
Categorical imperatives
Kantian ethical principles assessed as rules that should apply universally.
Positivism
Comte’s approach to knowledge, emphasizing scientific study and evidence-supported claims.
Comte’s sociology
A proposed science of society intended to support human progress and social stability.

Quiz questions

  1. What sequence does Comte’s law of three stages propose for the development of human thought?Answer: Theological, metaphysical, then positive.
  2. In Comte’s positive stage, how should people study society and the natural world?Answer: Through scientific study seeking principles supported by evidence.
  3. How many door-to-door interviews did W. E. B. Du Bois conduct in Philadelphia’s Seventh Ward?Answer: 2,500 interviews.
  4. What occupational pattern did Du Bois find among African Americans in Philadelphia’s Seventh Ward?Answer: A greater share worked in low-skilled, low-paying occupations than citywide data indicated.
  5. How can carefully collected social data help governments and institutions?Answer: It can reveal unequal conditions and inform responsive policies and programs.

Based on Introduction to Philosophy by Nathan Smith (OpenStax), licensed CC BY 4.0. Adapted into a summary, flashcards and quizzes.

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