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Galileo and Bacon were two prominent figures in the study of the physical world. Galileo, influenced by mathematics and observation, used deductive reasoning to explain natural phenomena, contributing to the development of physics and Newtonian mechanics. On the other hand, Bacon emphasized empirical observation and inductive reasoning, advocating for systematic observation and experimentation to derive general principles about the natural world. Both Galileo and Bacon played significant roles in shaping the foundations of psychology. Galileo’s emphasis on observation laid the groundwork for understanding human behavior and cognition, while Bacon’s advocacy for empirical observation and inductive reasoning provided a methodological framework for psychological research. Descartes, Kant, and Locke offered distinct perspectives on the mind-body relationship. Descartes proposed Cartesian dualism, viewing the mind as a non-physical entity separate from the material body. Kant proposed a more integrated view of the mind and body, suggesting a closer relationship between mental processes and physical experiences. Locke’s empiricist perspective emphasized the role of sensory experience in shaping the mind. The development of positivism, rationalism, and empiricism was influenced by cultural and nationalistic factors. Positivism emerged during the Enlightenment ideals and the desire to establish a scientific basis for understanding society. Rationalism, epitomized by thinkers like Descartes and Spinoza, reflected continental Europe’s rationalist traditions and the emphasis on reason as the primary source of knowledge. Empiricism, championed by British philosophers like Locke and Hume, was shaped by the empirical traditions of British empiricism and the empirical approach to scientific inquiry. Theological and religious beliefs also influenced the development of these philosophical views. Theological doctrines often served as the basis for philosophical inquiry, shaping perspectives on the nature of reality and the human condition. As scientific inquiry advanced, theological interpretations gave way to more secular and empirical approaches, leading to the emergence of modern science and the philosophical underpinnings of psychology. 

https://www.britannica.com/biography/Galileo-Galilei

https://www.britannica.com/biography/Francis-Bacon-Viscount-Saint-Alban

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· Compare and contrast the views of Galileo and Bacon. Explain why these two scientists had an impact on the development of psychology.

Galileo Galilei was a mathematician who believed that there were “misconceptions” regarding the world and bodies (Henley, 2018, Pg. 101). He had Pythagorean platonic beliefs which is why he challenged many things and people. One person he challenged was Aristotle and his belief that heavier things fall faster than lighter things (Henley, 2018, Pg. 101). He believed that they fall at the same time regardless of how heavy or light it was. Galileo also created an updated version of a telescope that he was able to see the Milky Way with and realized that there are multiple stars within it that we can’t see from our human eye along with four moons of Jupiter. Galileo is so important because he challenged many beliefs that were before him by mathematics and experimentation. He not only changed the outlook on physics, but also for astronomy and methodology. Then there is Francis Bacon. Francis had beliefs that were quite opposite from Galileo (Henley, 2018, Pg. 106). Galileo believed in proving things through mathematics whereas Bacon believed to prove things through science. Bacon believed that science should go off of nothing but actual facts from observation. Francis had four major errors that could affect scientific investigation with the mental processing that he called his “four idols of mind”. The idols of cave are personal biases that stem from experiences or feelings we have. Idols of the tribe are biases from human nature. This means that humans can sometimes see something for the way they want it to be rather than what it really is. Then there are idols of the marketplace which is being biased due to influence of someone else. Lastly, there is idols of the theater. This is biasness from the aspect that you side with one person or thought over the other so you will automatically choose the one you side with regardless of the accurateness (Henley, 2018, Pg. 108). Bacon was important for psychology because he believed experimentation needed to be conducted to really understand the mind of things along with interaction. 

· Compare the basic principles of Rene Descartes, Immanuel Kant, and John Locke. How do these principles differ in their perspectives of the mind-body relationship? What do these principles add to the comprehensive understanding of psychology as a science?

Rene Descartes was a philosopher who believed in the theory of methodical doubt. He lived off his famous quote, ” I think, therefore I am”. He believed that we humans have ideas that sway our outlook on the world. Descartes was a rationalist because he believed in the nature side of things. He stated that we humans cannot exemplify perfection simply because the idea of perfection cannot be learned therefore making it innate(natural). John Locke, on the other hand, was an empiricist. Locke believed that environmental influences affect psychology tremendously. Locke believed we learned through experience and Descartes believed the opposite. Immanuel Kant chose a different route from Descartes and Locke. He didn’t consider himself an empiricist or a rationalist. He believed that our understanding is the origin of the laws of nature that makeup our experience. He believed in the concept of categorical imperative. This was the belief that something could be considered “right” if it couldn’t be contradicted. He believed that we all have an innate awareness to the law. Kant provided beliefs that could be agreed with both Locked and Descartes. 

· Explain the cultural and even nationalistic influences on how the different schools of thought developed (positivism, rationalism, and empiricism)? Explain how theological or religious beliefs influence the different schools of thought as they had done to the philosophical views of early centuries?

Positivism was a philosophical school that based knowledge off of sensory experience. Rationalism was a philosophical school that pushed reason as the only way for knowledge. A figure for this school was actually Rene Descartes. Lastly, empiricism based their knowledge solely off of sensory experience and evidence. Positivist religious beliefs were neither symbolic of atheist or agnostics. They simply just believed that facts needed to be reflected from observations. Empiricism religious beliefs influenced the school because they argued about the belief of God and how you can’t go based off of miracles. It has to be proven by evidence.

References

Henley, T. (2018).   Hergenhahn’s an introduction to the history of psychology  (8th ed.)

The post Modern science began as a move from theological-based reasoning to observational- and empirically-based reasoning. Two areas of reasoning evolved from this time, inductive and deductive. Fo first appeared on Writeden.