Huemer

Question 1

What is phenomenal conservatism?

Answer 1

If it seems to S that P is true, then S has at least prima facie justification for believing that P is true.

Can be sensory or perceptual seemings, along with memory and other less clear examples (i.e., intuition, dreams, logic,etc)

Question 2

Why is phenomenal conservation true according to Huemer?

Answer 2

The ultimate goal is to believe the truth.

It would be unreasonable to not believe anything (a skeptical perspective)

But it would also be unreasonable to believe absolutely everything

So, believing what seems true to us is the most reasonable thing to do.

Question 3

Why would externalists deny phenomenal conservatism?

Answer 3

Externalists would say that your beliefs should be a product of your reliable processes, not just inside your head (Huemer believes everything is inside your head)

Question 4

What are some examples of justified beliefs according to phenomenal conservatism?

Answer 4

I believe that Denver is the capital of Colorado

I believe that H2O is the formula for water

I believe that the mitochondria is the powerhouse of the cell