Studia Universitatis Vasile Goldis Arad, Seria Stiinte Economice (Sep 2013)
SOME MAJOR PHILOSOPHICAL CURRENTS INFLUENTIAL TO THE ECONOMIC RESEARCH – A BRIEF CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Abstract
Kantian philosophy that underpins our approach denies the possibility of any a priori knowledge (Kant, 2009). Only time and space, as frameworks of our experiences (and not as sizes) are given a priori to humans. A priori knowledge is not possible according to the approach of the great philosopher, and the adoption of the appearance principle leads to the same conclusion. Our representations of the world appear as a result of our perceptions accumulated about the world as a result of our own experiences. And when we say personal experiences we mean both direct contacts with the outside world and the contacts mediated by others. The experience of reading is, from this point of view, an experience like any other, involving sensory perceptions (transmitted through sight) and their representations. The only difference between this experience and one that involves direct contact with the outside world is that the last mentioned involves the need for knowledge resulting from previous experiences. It is obvious that this is not a priori knowledge unless we relate to our current situation. In this situation knowledge is not acquired "without any experience" but as a result of the experiences of others. Next we will try to see the connection between this knowledge and representations, gained as a result of the past experiences, and the concept of system of values.
