Rationalism
The rationalist perspective views knowledge as originating in the mind and “regards reason as the chief source and test of knowledge” (Blanshard, 2016) and “refers to the idea that knowledge derives from reason without aid of the senses” (Schunk, 2004, p. 11). Having its origins in Plato’s (c. 427–347 B.C.) belief in the existence of absolute knowledge that can be attained through pure reason, the rationalist perspective values the joint acts of recalling and reflecting on what is sensed to deductively discover (i.e. learn) its true nature. Since our minds are innately organized to reason and interpret the information it acquires through the senses “learning is recalling what exists in the mind” (Schunk, 2004, p. 11). Some prominent rationalist philosophers include Rene Descartes and Immanuel Kant.
Empiricism
The other epistemological perspective influencing the dominant theories of learning is empiricism, which derives from the writings of Aristotle (384–322 B.C.), and “refers to the idea that (sense) experience is the only source of knowledge” (Schunk, 2004, p. 12). This perspective emphasizes the role of empirical evidence drawn inductively from sensory impressions of the external environment. Instead of depending on a priori intuition and reasoning, one must test all hypotheses and theories. Some influential ideas of the empirical perspective include Aristotle’s thoughts on associative learning and memory and Locke’s (1690) beliefs in the mind as tabula rasa (i.e., a blank slate). Specifically, Aristotle taught that recall of an idea or sensed object triggers recall of other ideas or objects “similar to, different from, or experienced close in time to the original object or idea” (Schunk, 2004, p. 12). The more frequently a person associates objects and ideas to other objects and ideas, the greater the likelihood future recall will occur. As for Locke’s idea of the mind as tabula rasa, this builds on Aristotle’s teachings on association in that the mind is seen as having no innate ideas but rather is composed of simple ideas – gained through experience – being associated with other ideas and ultimately forming complex ideas.
Tomorrow, we will take a (very) brief look at two schools of psychological thought, which also influenced the development of the major theories of learning… Until tomorrow!