Epistemology Flashcards
What is solipsism ?
Is the view that only one mind exists
What is direct realism ?
States that the immediate objects of perception are mind independent objects and their properties
Explain the distinction between sense ideas and impressions
Sense impressions are more lively sensations
= see hear touch feel
Sense ideas are less lively sensations
= thinking about how cold it is
Sense ideas are faint copies of sense impressions
Explain Descartes trademark argument
Attempts to prove existence of god
1) we have an innate idea of God that has been stamped on our minds
= by god
2) we have the idea of a perfect and infinite being
= however we are imperfect and finite
= idea must have come from god
Plato’s argument for innate knowledge
Souls are immortal
Knowledge is innate = retrieved via reason
E.g Slaveboy
(Geometry questions ) via reasoning and discussion the slaveboy is able to answer the questions comprehensively = retrieved innate knowledge
Furthermore , eternal truth could not have been achieved via empiricism , as once we notice eternal truth = universal application
How does no false Lena’s counteract criticism of JTB
Aims to counteract JTB criticism of smith and jones
However with no false Lena’s condition , knowledge can’t be claimed due to it being based on a false proposition
Briefly outline the tripartite view of knowledge and explain how a case of lucky true can be argued against this view
Smith believes that the man who has 10 coins in his pocket will get job
JTB Met
Therefore JTB conditions na are sufficient for knowledge to be claimed
What is a hypothetical imperative ?
Tells you why you ought to do to achieve a certain desire
If you ought to put on weight , you ought to eat more
How would a rule utilitarian make a decision
Follow maxims e.g do not lie
= result in greatest pleasure
Quality>quantity of pleasure
= e.g human dissatisfied > pig dissatisfied
Competing / clashing duties issue
E.g axe murder = no right choice 1) lie 2) lead an innocent to death = both violate perfect duties = never moral permissible
Aristotle involuntary action ?
Someone can not be lamed for his actions if action was involuntary
As they are either
1) externally forced via psychological pressure
2) caused by ignorance = lacks knowledge of action and consequences
Kant telling lies ?
We have moral duties to not lie , that are discovered via reason
1st categorical imperative formulation
= making an exception for our selves = imperfect
2nd categorical imperative formulation
= manipulates an innocent being = imperfect
Is Aristotelian Ethics convincing ?
A E
- states moral principles are discovered via reason in a community of character
OBJ
lacks clarity - ethical dilemma = abortion
We don’t know what to do as agent centred and not act centred
CA
agent centred is good
Unlike util and Kant , AE judges a person good or bad not based solely only on an individual act as involuntary action might’ve occurred
= accomadation modern society
OBJ2
Does not benefit individual , have to give up their own interests for society’s
CA
Goal of ethics is to make society a better place - AE aligns more with ethics then util and Kant
OBJ3
Aristotle is dependent on others to agree with what virtuous people are like and therefore what we should be - but what if we disagree ?
Therefore is not useful to those who don’t agree with it
CA Aristotle lists 12 virtues
= recognises societies differ and required virtues can vary
How convincing is Util as an account of what makes an action morally right ?
Utilitarians claim that actions are morally right or wrong based on their ends
- best action= maximises utility
GOOD
happiness can’t be bad ?
Bad
Happiness is not the only thing that is of intrinsic value = e.g love
GOOD
right course of action leads to max happiness and least pain
BAD
ends don’t justify means
GOOD Democratic balance everyone’s interests Gov uses utilitarianism in air strikes BAD too mechanical = reduces mortality to simple maths
How convincing is Berkeley’s idealism ?
States that the immediate objects of perception are mind dependent ideas
OBJ
leads to solipsism
= only one mind exists
As “ Everything one perceives are ideas “
= causes scepticism If minds even exist ?
CA
based on false lemma
= he never said he was source of pericption as god is via his will
OBJ
denies continuous existence “ to be is to be perceived “
CA
Based on fade lemma
Berkeley knows water will continue to rise as god is ever- perceiving
FURTHERMORE IDEALISM > REALISM ( IR )
- as Locke falsely claims that only secondary qualities can vary
HOWEVER based on false lemma
= PQs can vary ( e.g circle appears oval at different angle to different perceiver)
THEREFORE SD CANNOT BE SAID TO RESEMBLE ANY OBJECTS PQs as PROPERTIES VARY BETWEEN PERCEIVERS
= any property is mind dependent
