Arguably, rationalism and empiricism tire out the numerous options of how we can acquire knowledge. However, that is not the entire epistemological extend. Epistemology, addresses numerous issues such as construction of mind concepts, relationship of knowledge objects on what we know, nature of knowledge, as well as reliability of senses. Generally, epistemology studies knowledge; in details, it elaborates on distinctive features of false and true knowledge. In fact, absence of epistemology makes scientific reflections invalid and inexistent.
As a matter of fact, epistemological theories of Kant, Berkeley, and Locke are unable to prevail over the egocentric predicament. Egocentric predicament refers to the problem in which human beings cannot view reality beyond their own perceptions. This means that human knowledge of the world takes the figure of mental representation within own mind. Therefore, in life we cannot have direct contact with reality if it is outside our minds (Audi 43).
Even within the spontaneous level, individuals express the egocentric predicament problems. Factually, we are always limited to what we perceive, and always feel, experience and think on a personal level. Our perceptions and bias limit our ability to obtaining objective knowledge (Audi 59). Often, individuals will say that understanding occurs if u have ever been in a certain situation, for example, if life it is difficult for us to understand what it means to lose a loved one, unless we have personally experienced it.
According to John Locke, it is always difficult to objective sensory data outside subjective personal body and mind. It is difficult for epistemological theories to overcome egocentric predicament, this is because our perceptions in life, are shaped by culture. Certainly, there are no pre-existing innate ideas that all beings share. All beings on earth are unique, and perceive differently. For example, a sighted individual can see a room full of colors and light, while a blind person can see dark within the same room (Audi 79)
Berkeley and Locke believed that sole or self was tremendously impressionable. In fact, both reflect on the philosophy of the western tradition. The two philosophers, proposes the core element of existence to be personal sole or self. Hence, it is difficult for their epistemological theories, to overcome the way we view reality beyond our perceptions. Human beings are locked in their own perceptions, where all their believes are guided and limited to perceptions.
Berkeley came up with the theory of immaterialism, which is part of epistemological theories. He asserts that, the way we perceive material object, signifies our entire knowledge about what we know about it, regardless of the truth that our perception carries. This theory, implies that human beings have no power to acquire knowledge in relation to material objects. Therefore, the limitlessness of this theory on perceptions of material knowledge, makes it weaker has compared to egocentric predicament (Audi 101). Furthermore, John Locke ideas on empiricism, is that personal knowledge can be derived specifically from sense of experience. In this scenario, John Locke comes low of the egocentric predicament. He later admitted that we just know the external world through the external knowledge, falling short of egocentric predicament.
According to Immanuel Kant, individual minds shape numerous incoming data into broad categories. For example, the perceptions of necessity view everything to be moving though Newtonian time, located in a tree-dimensional space, as well as explainable by the natural causal law. This implies that everything that we perceive will possess those characteristics, anything beyond that will be unthinkable (Audi 107). These perceptions on the characteristic of everything, do not formulate any intellect beyond the view of extraordinary world. Moreover, Kant idealism theory attributes existence of everything to mental perception. This means that the sense of experience and knowledge come from the mind (Audi 123)
Actually, solutions to egocentric predicament are only possibly by an act of faith. Doctrines of Hinduism offer a solution to egocentric predicament. In Hindu religion, self-transcendence is a necessity in their philosophy. Perhaps, Hinduism does not refute the survival of personal self. As per the Vedanta doctrine, the permanent sole and self is a separate and finite ego. Hinduism, belief develops as an independent philosophy and forms part of worship. Its basic doctrines, which are solutions to egocentric predicaments, include personal conduct, life after death, and divinities (Christian 77).
Gautama is another doctrine of the Hindu religion, which teaches on epistemology and logic. The doctrine can be a solution to egocentric predicament. The doctrine holds the secret for health body and mind that is not to worry or mourn for events that took place in the past, nor worry about the future. Certainly, important aspects to the body and, mind are to live earnestly and wisely at the present life (Christian 79). Holy words in the Hindu religion, does not make any sense if they are not put into practice. The belief in existence of Supreme Being called Ishtar is a solution to egocentric predicament.
The Supreme Being is absolute knowledge, absolute bliss, and absolute existence. Hence, this goes beyond what individual perceive, and gives numerous explanation on things that the mind cannot comprehend (Christian 80). Additionally, the doctrine of predestination asserts that everything happens because of God’s will. This implies that not only what we perceive in our mind that happens, but also there is other power that comes from God.
Work cited
Audi, R. Epistemology: A Contemporary Introduction to the Theory of Knowledge. New York:
Wiley, 2010.
Christian, J. Philosophy: An Introduction to the Art of Wondering. London: Wadsworth, 2009.
