Epistemology Flashcards
What is a priori knowledge? ( 3m)
A priori knowledge is knowledge that is independent of experience. It is known through reason alone and does not require empirical evidence or sensory experience for its justification. For example logical propositions like “all bachelors are in married men”
What is empiricism ?
Empiricism is the theory that all knowledge is derived from sense experience ( all knowledge is known a posteriori)
What is solipsism? (3m)
Solipsism is the epistemological position that only one’s own mind is sure to exist. It posits that all external reality, including other minds, cannot be known and might not exist independently of one’s own perceptions and consciousness. This leads to the metaphysical implication that the self is the only verifiable reality.
where does solipsism stem from?
The theory has roots in Cartesian skepticism, stemming from Descartes arguement:”Cogito, ergo sum” (“I think, therefore I am”). Descartes doubted the certainty of all external knowledge, emphasizing the certainty of the thinking self. However, solipsism as a distinct position extends this skepticism to claim that only the self is truly knowable.
What is an ‘analytic truth’? (3m)
An analytic truth is a statement that is true by virtue of the meaning of the words used. Its truth is determined solely by the definitions and logical relationships of its terms. For example, “All bachelors are unmarried men” is an analytic truth because it is true by definition.
What is a necessary truth? (3m)
A necessary truth is a proposition that is true in all possible worlds and is knowable a priori, meaning it can be known independently of experience or empirical evidence. It is true by virtue of its logical necessity and does not depend on contingent facts about the world. For example, “2 + 2 = 4” is a necessary truth, as it can be understood through reason alone and holds true in all conceivable circumstances.
What is global scepticism? (3m)
Global skepticism is a philosophical position that doubts the possibility of knowledge or certainty about the external world. It argues that we cannot have justified beliefs about the world, as all our sensory experiences could be systematically misleading or illusory. Global skeptics often propose radical skeptical scenarios, such as the brain in a vat or the dream argument, to challenge the reliability of our perceptions and beliefs about reality.
What does Descartes mean by ‘clear and distinct ideas’? (3m)
Descartes uses the term ‘clear and distinct ideas’ to refer to perceptions of the mind that are evident and indubitable. These ideas are characterized by their clarity and distinctness, meaning they are perceived so clearly and distinctly that they cannot be doubted. For example, Descartes considers the idea of a triangle (with three sides and angles) to be clear and distinct because its properties are clearly and distinctly perceived by the mind. Descartes holds that clear and distinct ideas are reliable foundations for knowledge because they are self-evident and cannot be mistaken.
What is direct realism
Direct realism is the theory of perception that we perceive mind-independent physical objects and their properties. So the immediate object of our perception is the physical object itself, there isnt some thing else like a mental picture or sense data. For example, if two people were to perceive a brown table, they would perceive the table and its properties directly. The direct realist claims the properties belong to the mind-independent object and your perception of the object is identical the the object in the external world.
What is indirect realsim?
Indirect realism is the theory of perception that claims that our sensory experiences do not provide direct access to external objects and their properties. Instead, we perceive mental representations or sense data that represent the external objects. The immediate object of perception is not the external object itself, but rather the mental representation or sense-data that represents the external object. For example, if two people were to perceive a brown table, according to indirect realism, they would perceive the sense-data of the table, rather than the table itself. These mental representations are interpreted by the mind to infer the existence and properties of external objects. Indirect realism suggests that our perception is mediated by mental representations, and our knowledge of the external world is indirect, relying on our interpretation of these representations.
What are necessary conditions?
Necessary conditions are essential criteria or requirements that must be met for a specific outcome or concept to be realized or valid. These conditions define the fundamental elements necessary for the occurrence of an event or the establishment of a principle. They serve as indispensable prerequisites which must be present aswithout them the desired result cannot be achieved or the concept cannot be properly understood.
What is moral anti-realism
Moral anti-realism is the theory which suggests that moral judgements are not made true or false by kind independent objective moral properties
