Parmenides of Elea

Parmenides seems to question the ideas of this world based on sensory experience and argues that one should use their understanding through the use of reason to formulate knowledge about "what-is" (28B1, B8). Through this rejection of sensory experience the goddess makes room for her new way of thought about the world. However, this idea about experience seems impossible to actually live by for several reasons. To reject knowledge based on the senses is to cast doubt upon everything in this world. If I doubt my sensory experience, then how can I even function in this life? How can I trust anything that Parmenides is telling me or that I'm reading? How can Parmenides trust anything related to the story about the goddess? Additionally, our reasoning is constantly influenced by our past experiences whether we are conscious of it or not. The environment in which we are raised influences our development and way of thought. Babies and children are too young to reason and are constantly influenced by experience during development. To live this life it appears impossible to completely doubt sensory experience.

At the same time, Parmenides does seem to get at some level of truth behind these claims. There are things about the world and our existence metaphysically that cannot be explained through empirical sensory experience. Much of the immaterial world and belief in souls cannot be verified by sensory experience in this world and yet we believe in souls. Parmenides could be warning us not to solely believe in only the sensory world, which is a much more acceptable claim among most people. He could also be referring to the knowledge of the masses which is usually void of any use of reason. In this sense, it is important to use your reason to seek the truth rather than follow the masses who would have been largely uneducated during his time. Viewing his claim as a warning about seeking truth, rather than an absolute belief to live by, presents a better appropriation of Parmenides. Do you think Parmenides rejects the truth of sensory experience completely or can it be interpreted differently as a warning?

-BaylorBear16