Nothing is in the intellect that was not first in the senses

[Techne]

Or as they say in Latin (A Scholastic maxim derived from Aristotle) "Nihil est in intellectu quod non prius in sensu".

This is also an empiricist maxim that in its most basic form states that "knowledge arises from evidence gathered via sense experience" and that the mind is a blank slate.

This is often contrasted with rationalism which argues that certain concepts and knowledge are innate and "gained a priori, independently of experience".

Rationalist or Empiricist? Why?

[Geriatrix]

What about Instinct?

[Techne]

What about Instinct?

I don't know really. I think the instinct of any living thing would not exist if it does not have senses. I think it is possible for an instinct to be totally lacking even if the living thing has senses. Then again, a proper definition of instinct and its application to the maxim/premise needs to be elaborated on?

[Jonny Two Shoes]

I was borderline on this wrt Artificial Intelligence

Without senses you cannot learn. They are what allow you to interact with the outside world.

Over and above that however is ability (for instance hands to work with tools, language capability and brain capacity).

And without instinct I believe you would get nowhere. In order to learn what is good and bad you need to have the instinct to cry to your mother, this behaviour called crying would mean nothing to a baby only that it is a reaction to something the baby perceives as bad. Why otherwise would your facial muscles contract and tears start flowing if you have never learned to do that before in response to something bad?

So in all senses, ability and instinct all contribute to intellect and knowledge. And as I have pointed out countless times it all points to survival being the one and only driving force behind everything living and evolving. At least IMO

[Geriatrix]

Then again, a proper definition of instinct and its application to the maxim/premise needs to be elaborated on?

Probably. Instinct could possible be "hardcoded" memory from past actions to sense experiences.Also, we'd need to define "knowledge", "sensing" and "the intellect" as well.

For instance, can there be mind without the senses? Does that which knows know when there's nothing to know? Eish.

[Geriatrix]

And as I have pointed out countless times it all points to survival being the one and only driving force behind everything living and evolving. At least IMO

What is it that survives?

[Archer]

Logic for one does not pass through your senses... its intangible and hence cannot be sensed.

[Techne]

Logic and reason are powers, or dispositions if you will, of your intellect. Without sensory data, the intellect has nothing to work on. Well from an empiricist point of view I would argue anyway.

[Jonny Two Shoes]

What is it that survives?

Life and all things living. Which I view as one entity in some ways so while you and I will pass life will go on as it is meant to. As it is almost supposed to do somehow.