Philosophy A-Level
Rationalism vs Empiricism
What Rationalism vs Empiricism means in Philosophy A-Level, as defined for AQA.
Definition of Rationalism vs Empiricism
The tension between a priori ontological reasoning, which seeks to define God into existence through pure logic, and a posteriori cosmological/teleological arguments based on observation of the natural world.
Topics that use Rationalism vs Empiricism
- Metaphysics of God (AQA A-Level)
Related terms
- A Priori vs A Posteriori Proofs
- Cognitivism vs. Non-cognitivism
- The Coherence of the Divine Attributes
- The Falsification Debate
- The Nature of Necessity
- The Verification Principle
- Theodicy and the Challenge of Evil
- Theodicy and the Problem of Evil
Using Rationalism vs Empiricism in the exam
Definition questions usually carry one or two marks, and examiners look for the precise wording. Write the definition from memory, check it against the version above, and then use the term in a longer answer on the same topic so it sticks.
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