Describe the difference between Rationalism and Empiricism.

In Epistemology (philosophy of knowledge), philosophers debate the question of how dependent we are on our senses to obtain knowledge. Empiricists, like Locke and Hume, claim that our majority of knowledge is obtained through sense experience, whereas Rationalists, like Descartes, claim that there are other ways that knowledge can be obtained, independently of sense perceptions. They argue that reason can be used to obtain knowledge about the world.

LD
Answered by Lara D. Philosophy tutor

3545 Views

See similar Philosophy IB tutors

Related Philosophy IB answers

All answers ▸

Explain the analogy of the divided line as an exemplary case of Plato’s epistemology


What is the state of nature in political philosophy?


What makes a good philosophy essay?


What is the difference between internalism and externalism?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning