Single Idea 22117

[catalogued under 12. Knowledge Sources / C. Rationalism / 1. Rationalism]

Full Idea

Instead of supposing that what we know can be abstracted from sensible particulars that instantiate such knowledge, Augustine insists that our mind is so constituted as to see 'intelligible realities' directly by inner illumination.

Gist of Idea

Our minds grasp reality by direct illumination (rather than abstraction from experience)

Source

report of Augustine (works [c.415]) by Gareth B. Matthews - Augustine p.74

Book Reference

'Shorter Routledge Encyclopaedia of Philosophy', ed/tr. Craig,Edward [Routledge 2005], p.74


A Reaction

His 'theory of illumination'. This seems to be a sort of super-rationalism. This doesn't make clear the role of sensations. Surely he doesn't thing that we just bypass them?

Related Idea

Idea 22128 Augustine's 'illumination' theory of knowledge leads to nothing but scepticism [Duns Scotus, by Dumont]