3.1.4 The limits of knowledge - 3 markers

Question 1

Philosophical scepticism

Answer 1

Philosophical scepticism is the systematic doubt to the justification of our knowledge, for example, I know I am at college writing this essay, because I can look around at the same classroom I was in before and see the desks, chairs, bookshelves and so on. But what if my experience is not a trustworthy source of knowledge?

Question 2

Normal incredulity

Answer 2

Doubt that arises about a specific claim because of beliefs you don’t doubt and where the
reasons for this doubt can, in principle, be removed, for example, did I leave my keys back at my house?

Question 3

Global scepticism

Answer 3

Philosophical scepticism applied to all knowledge claims. The view that we have no (or next to
no) knowledge; that (almost) none of our usual forms of justification for our beliefs are
adequate.

Question 4

Local scepticism

Answer 4

Philosophical scepticism about a specific domain (e.g. those about the past) and/or based on
a specific type of justification (e.g. memory).