The Rational-Empiric Model of the Functional Intellect and the Structural Brain

Abstract

The traditional conflict in epistemology has been between rationalism and empiricism. Philosophers have often tried to align themselves in one of these schools even though a close reading of some of their writings may suggest they may often have used both varyingly, one more than the other. This paper demonstrates that both rationalism and empiricism work together and are thus called the rational-empiric model. The paper extends the scope of the rational-empiric model to also evolving cognitive developments and other aspects of reasoning such as computational thought and makes an effort towards summarizing the nature of human reason by explaining the functional intellect and the structural brain since the time of Aristotle to date drawing from theology, philosophy, logic, computer science, and psychology. The paper presents the rationalempiric model in a broader in-depth context with supporting ideas and evidence. Various literature on theology, logic, philosophy, and psychology has been used to elaborate on the concepts. The paper concludes that the purpose of the rational empiric model is to discover knowledge by finding and understanding ontologies as they exist and function or as they ought to exist and function.