Epistemology - Philosophy Flashcards
What is epistemology?
Epistemology is an area of psychology that studies knowledge, what it is, how we acquire it, and what justifies our beliefs.
According to Plato, what is the definition of knowledge?
Justified, True, Belief (JTB)
Justification requires good reasons or evidence, Truth requires the proposition to be true, and Belief requires the person to believe the proposition.
What does empiricism mean?
Empiricism is a philosophical theory that states all knowledge comes from sensory experience.
How does an empiricist gain knowledge?
- Experience and Observation: Knowledge comes from direct interaction with the world
- Inductive Reasoning: General principles are derived from specific observations
- Scientific Method: Knowledge is tested through empirical evidence
Which philosophical perspective argues that reason is the primary way to acquire knowledge?
Rationalism
What are innate ideas?
Some concepts exist in the mind before experience.
What is deductive reasoning?
Using logic to derive conclusions from fundamental principles.
What is skepticism?
Skepticism is a philosophical perspective that doubts or questions the possibility of certain or absolute knowledge.
What are the three main arguments presented by skeptics?
- The Problem of Perception: Our senses can deceive us
- The Infinite Regress Problem: Each justification requires proof, leading to an endless chain
- The Problem of Induction (David Hume): Past occurrences do not guarantee future events.
Who is the French philosopher from the 1600’s that believed philosophy must have a reliable foundation?
Rene Descartes
Why can we doubt our sensory impressions according to Descartes?
- The Fallibility of the Senses: Our senses can deceive us
- The Dream Argument: Dreams can feel real, making it hard to determine reality
- The Evil Demon Argument: An evil demon might manipulate our perceptions.
What is radical skepticism?
Radical skepticism is the idea that we can doubt everything, including sensory perception, the external world, mathematical truths, memory, and reasoning.
What does Descartes’ famous statement, ‘Cogito, ergo sum’ mean?
‘Cogito, ergo sum’ means that every act of thinking is undeniable proof of one’s own existence.
How does Descartes relate his belief in God to his philosophical reasoning?
He proves the existence of God as a key step in rebuilding knowledge on a secure foundation.
What is John Locke’s concept of ‘Tabula Rasa’?
‘Tabula Rasa’ means that the human mind is a blank slate at birth, with all knowledge coming from experience.
What is the difference between primary and secondary qualities according to John Locke?
- Primary Qualities: Exist independently of perception (e.g., size, shape)
- Secondary Qualities: Exist only in the mind of the observer (e.g., color, taste, smell).
What is the principle of causality?
The principle of causality states that every event has a cause.
What are Hume’s criticisms of the principle of causality?
- We Never Perceive Causality, Only Constant Conjunction
- The Problem of Induction: Past events do not guarantee future outcomes
- Causality Is Just A Psychological Habit.
What is the difference between knowledge based on reason and knowledge based on the senses?
- Rational knowledge: Based on reason
- Empirical knowledge: Based on the senses.
Why does Hume argue that mathematical/logical knowledge provides no information about reality?
- Relations of Ideas: Knowledge that is necessarily true but does not describe reality
- Matters of Fact: Knowledge that describes reality but is uncertain.
How does Kant view time and space in relation to human perception?
Kant argues that time and space are forms of human perception that structure experience.
