Epistemology

Question 1

Define Knowledge

Answer 1

A True Justified Belief WITH Evidence

Question 2

Define Belief

Answer 2

A statement or claim that somebody thinks is true

Question 3

Define Truth

Answer 3

A statement is true if it corresponds to reality

Question 4

Can a statement be true even though no one can prove it?

Answer 4

Yes, truth is independent from reality

Question 5

Define Evidence

Answer 5

Any information that indicates a statement is true

Question 6

Define Proof

Answer 6

Lots of evidence

Question 7

How do we get knowledge?

Answer 7

From evidence

Question 8

4 standards of evidence

Answer 8

1. Preponderance of evidence: above 50%
2. Clear & Convincing: above 75%
3. Proof beyond a reasonable doubt: above 90%
4. Absolute Certainty: 100%

Question 9

What is the title of the book of Descartes’ discussion of absolute certainty

Answer 9

The Meditations

Question 10

Descarte’s First Meditation

Answer 10

What do I know with 100% certainty?

Question 11

Descartes’ Method of Doubt

Answer 11

A way of searching for certainty by doubting and questioning every reality. Ask yourself “Can I imagine any possible way I could be mistaken?”

Question 12

What are Descartes’ Two Skeptical Hypotheses concerning his method of doubt?

Answer 12

1. You may be dreaming.
2. You may be controlled to believe something false by an evil demon.

Question 13

Define Skepticism

Answer 13

theory that nobody knows anything 100%

Question 14

Cogito ergo sum

Answer 14

Latin phrase of “I think, therefore I am”

Question 15

What is the only thing we know for certain?

Answer 15

I think, therefore I am

Question 16

Who said “I think, therefore I am”

Answer 16

Descartes

Question 17

Are all opinions equal?

Answer 17

No because some opinions have more evidence

Question 18

What is The Underdetermination of Theory?

Answer 18

Observations don’t determine what your theories explain bc there are many theories explaining the same observation

Question 19

Ad hoc modifications

Answer 19

Additions to a theory that prevent it from being refuted/falsified/disproven

Question 20

Ockham’s razor

Answer 20

the simplest theory is best

it is not legitimate to add unnecessary entities to a theory

Question 21

Who said, “[A human] is capable of rectifying his mistakes, by discussion and experience. Not by experience alone. There must be discussion, to show how experience is to be interpreted.

What is experience
What is interpretation

Answer 21

John Stuart Mill

Experience = Observations
Interpretation = Theories

Question 22

Define Rationalism

Answer 22

the theory that the primary source of knowledge is reason/intellectn

emphasize theories

Question 23

Define Empricism

Answer 23

the theory that the primary source of knowledge is sensory experience

emphasize observations

Question 24

Pain Analogy

Answer 24

Tastes and sounds are like pain; only inside the mind after nerve stimulation. So, knives don’t have pain, and sugar doesn’t have taste

Question 25

2 definitions of sound

Answer 25

1. Sound is an airwave - outside your mind like a knife
2. Sound is an auditory experience - in your mind like pain

Question 26

“sound in the forest”
If a tree falls in the forest, and there is no one around to hear it, does it make a sound?

Answer 26

1. if you define sound as (airwaves) then a sound is made
2. if you define sound as (auditory experiences) no sound is made

Question 27

example of “other animals” regarding sugar

Answer 27

taste is an experience not characteristics of objects and sugar tastes different to other animals and there is no reason to think human tongues get the real taste