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the statement of the paramount importance of science in life of the
society. He devoted a number of works to these ideas, including “New
Organon”, where the author explains the new logics to counterbalance

the Aristotle’s logics and scholastics. Students should carefully analyze
Bacon’s study about the “phantoms” of human intellect on the their way
of formation the new principles of cognition. The human intellect,

according to Bacon, should act due to real things and stick to them,
following the principle of materialistic empirism.
T. Hobbs (1958 – 1679) chooses the man as an object of his study,
regarding him as a natural being on the one hand (natural body), and on

the other hand, as a citizen of a state. Studying the work “Leviafan” or
“Substance, Form and Power of a Cleric State and a Civil State”, it
should be noted that the author touches upon the main principles of

psychology, sociology, politics, gnoseology. On the basis of “natural
condition of people”, which is characterized by the equity of human
physical and mental abilities, Hobbs believes that it leads to war, and the
condition itself – is a product of human consciousness. The philosopher

denied the moral autonomy of the human being and wrote in his
“Leviafan” about the idea of monarchic power. It should be noted that,
thought Hobbes stuck to the materialistic position; rationalism was also

close for him.
R. Descartes (1596 – 1650) – created a new type of philosophical
study as a system of rationalism, and supported philosophical dualism.

Human mind, according to Descartes, should be released from passion
captivity and be applied in the right way for perceiving the world. The
main method relies upon the rules and principles, which apply the

natural ability of a man to cognition. Descartes believed that apart from
sensitive experience the human mind and intellect act as the main source
of knowledge. This idea became the original program of European
rationalism. The students should pay attention to the well – known

principle of universal disbelief, where Descartes speaks about the
methodical way of the cognition process, and stresses that thinking or
self – consciousness lies in the basis of all spiritual activity of a man

(thinking Self). Clear understanding of truth, kindness, guarantees a
person her/his freedom and happiness. Taking in consideration all the
facts it should be mentioned that there is some “duality” inside a person
according to Descartes, as it is compared to a machine, that consists of

bones and meat, but it has intelligent soul inside, that combines two
independent substances.

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