Epistemology Flashcards

1
Q

Define Epistemology

A

The study of knowledge

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2
Q

What are two reasons that epistemology matters?

A

Humans may think they (have knowledge) but in reality, it is just belief. If we are studying knowledge, we are studying the truth.

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3
Q

Define knowledge.

A

Knowledge is a true and justified (w/evidence) belief.

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4
Q

Define belief.

A

A statement that someone thinks is true.

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5
Q

Define a statement/claim.

A

A sentence that is either true or false.

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6
Q

Define truth.

A

A statement that corresponds to reality.

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7
Q

Define evidence.

A

Any information that indicates a statement is true.

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8
Q

Define proof.

A

Lots of evidence

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9
Q

Why is the study of knowledge so important?

A

Because we humans are never (rarely) 100% certain.

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10
Q

What are the four standards of evidence?

A
  • Above 50% (preponderance of the evidence)
  • 75% (clear and convincing evidence)
  • 90% (proof beyond reasonable doubt)
  • 100% (absolute certainty)
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11
Q

What standard of evidence is used in:
- Civil cases
- Criminal cases

A
  • Preponderance of evidence (50% or more)
  • Proof beyond a reasonable doubt (90%)
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12
Q

Jack has clear and convincing proof that Jill murdered his dog. Will he win the criminal case?

A

NO! C&C not enough evidence (75%). Must have proof beyond a reasonable doubt (90%)

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13
Q

How often do courts reach “absolute certainty”?

A

Never!

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14
Q

Who is the father of Modern philosophy? We are studying one of his texts, what is it called?

A
  • Descartes
  • Book of meditations

Meditations

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15
Q

What does Descartes’s first meditation argue?

A

We do not know anything for certain.

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16
Q

What is Descartes’ Method of Doubt?

A

A way of searching for certainty by doubting and questioning every reality. Asking oneself: “Is there ANY way that I may be mistaken in my belief?”

17
Q

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

A

You may be dreaming. You may be controlled by an evil demon.

18
Q

What does Descartes’s second meditation argue?

A

There is only one statement that he has found to be for sure true. “I think, therefore I am.”

19
Q

What is skepticism according to Descartes in the First Meditation?

A

Skepticism is the theory that nobody knows anything for sure.

20
Q

According to the four standards of evidence… Are all opinions equal?

A

No, as some opinions have more evidence. Thus, some opinions are more truthful.

21
Q

According to the four standards of evidence… Is evolutionary theory just a theory?

A

No, because some theories have more evidence than others. Evolutionary Theory is much closer to truth.

22
Q

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.” -Explain “experience” in this context. -Explain “interpretation” in this context.

A

John Stewart Mills
Experience refers to observations
Interpretation refers to theories.

23
Q

What is The Undetermination of Theory?

A

There are many theories to one observation

24
Q

In regards to The Undetermination of Theory what do Empiricists emphasize: Rationalists emphasize:

A

Empiricists emphasize experience and thus observations. Rationalists emphasize interpretation and thus theories.

25
Q

How do humans get knowledge?

A

Empiricists: The theory that the primary source of knowledge is sensory experience. Rationalists: The theory that the primary source of knowledge is reason/intellect.

26
Q

Explain the example of “other animals” regarding truth.

A

Sugar tastes different to different animals and thus there is no reason that humans are right about how sugar tastes.

27
Q

What are the three aspects of the “Pain Analogy?” What is this analogy arguing?

A

object outside of mind-> nerve-> pain

Tastes/sounds are similar to pain in that they are all experiences that only exist within your mind after a nerve is stimulated.

28
Q

What are the two views in regards to hearing a sound when a tree falls in the forest?

A
  • If you define sound as airwaves then a tree made sound when it fell
  • If you define sound as auditory experiences no sound is made since nothing was around to hear it fall.
29
Q

What are “ad hoc modifications?”

A

Additions to a theory that save the theory from being falsified/refuted/disproven.

30
Q

What is Ockham’s Razor?

A

He argues that the simplest theory is the best as it’s not legitimate to add unnecessary entities. (Good theories do not have unnecessary entities)