Methodological skepticism is an
approach that removes all prior beliefs and knowledge in attempt to find
further knowledge. The idea of brain washing my knowledge I have already
obtained, in order to learn a higher knowledge, terrifies me. I wouldn’t take
part in methodological skepticism because it would seem that in the quest for
further knowledge, I would find myself at some point believing in what I already
know. Removing what I already know in order to learn it once more seems like a
waste of time for me. Instead, I would explore other procedures and combine
what I know to that of what I don’t in order to get a conclusion. As humans, we
are consistently thinking of ways to improve our lives. In our daily lives, we don’t
usually stop to think of all the possibilities and choices we can explore in
completing a task or assignment. However, if we use what we already know and
combine it with other possibilities, we may be one step closer to success. For
example, Thomas Edison tried 100 times to make the electric light bulb and failed,
people thought of it as impossible, but by using what Edison already knew and
combining his beliefs with what he didn’t know, Thomas Edison was eventually
successful in the invention of the light bulb. Methodological skepticism is a
procedure that’s not really practiced in our everyday lives because people tend
to be a lot more rational about daily tasks.
Methodological skepticism in today’s
day and age wouldn’t be such a great idea because of the drastic economic and
political pressures. To question all beliefs wouldn’t seem practical and would
make you seem “mentally ill” in another person’s eyes. Descrates had much free
time to question the beliefs his reality was based on. As humans, we tend to
dig deeper into the ground when be believe “impossible” comes our way
(realistic views). Without the inertia to look further, as we combine our
current knowledge of reality to new ones, we would’ve grown to be extinct by
now.
I agree with your posting, that it is more productive to build on knowledge we already have.
ReplyDeleteI had trouble with using Descartes' philosophy to the extent that he was able to employ it. I do think at times the concept can be useful. For example, have you ever tried to assemble electonics or furniture unsuccessfuly. Then you may tear it apart and start again from scratch. Sometimes this can help you succeed in building it. Maybe there are times, when starting with a blank slate, can clear away confusion.
I definatly agree. Sometimes it is acctually best to clear your concious, and start from afresh (Methodological Skeptism). However, we all here are college students looking to enlighten our minds and finding success in college. If we were all to clear our minds of the knowledge we already know, after obtaining our degree that is, how would be be productive at our field of study? We would get fired due to lack in intelligence. Starting from scratch does help us understand certain things, but not all the time. I feel it may be more essential to combine both sides and work from there.
ReplyDeleteI love your example of Thomas Edison.Descartes does have the free time and ambition to explore his reality and he is not deterred at all in his quest. Aside from The Church in Rome persecuting scientists.
ReplyDeleteBrainwashing does not necessarily have to happen, people are unfortunate enough to loose their knowledge through memory loss or amnesia. Completely being unfamiliar with their life and the reality they live in. The movie the Vow which just came out is based on a true story. Where a man and woman were married and had a life together and after a car accident - her memory of him was completely gone. That is a severe kind of brainwashing.