How Do We Know What Is Real? | Dr. Stephen Hicks

Epistemology and metaphysics are intertwined, as knowing what's real requires understanding the nature of reality. The human mind, its relationship to the body, and the nature of knowledge have been central challenges for philosophers since the 1400s, leading to various schools of thought and skepticism. Psychology, though relatively new, is beginning to understand the mind as part of the natural world, a perspective that requires integrating insights from empiricism and rationalism to develop a more robust and nuanced epistemology for the future.

Epistemology & Metaphysics

• 00:00:00 Epistemology, or the study of knowledge, is inextricably linked to metaphysics, the study of reality. Understanding the nature of reality ('what's real') is crucial for determining truth claims. Anytime we assert something is true or real, we're making a claim about reality, and the justification of that claim is also essential.

Mind-Body Problem

• 00:01:25 The mind-body problem has been a significant obstacle in understanding human nature and knowledge. Early modern philosophy viewed humans as possessing both a physical body and a non-physical soul or spirit, creating a metaphysical gulf between the physical and spiritual realms. Bridging this gulf has been a challenge for epistemologists and philosophers.

Early Modern Philosophy

• 00:01:30 The 1400s to 1600s saw a struggle to understand the human being, particularly the relationship between the body and mind. Dualistic views, common for centuries, posited a distinction between physical and spiritual elements, influencing how philosophers viewed knowledge acquisition and the nature of the mind. This perspective is significant for understanding subsequent philosophical developments.

Psychology & Naturalism

• 00:04:13 Professional psychology emerged in the late 1800s, aiming to study the mind scientifically. Early schools like Freudian and behaviorist psychology sought to understand the mind within a naturalistic framework, reacting against the view that the mind was somehow outside of nature. The move toward naturalism has been a critical shift in understanding the mind and its place within the world.

Future of Epistemology

• 00:06:16 The future of epistemology requires integration of the best insights from various traditions, including empiricism and rationalism. Psychology is a complex field that continues to make progress in understanding the mind. The field must integrate with a more robust and nuanced epistemology to advance its understanding of the human mind, and how humans know what is real.