Lecture 2

Question 1

What is realism?

Answer 1

• there are truths in that subject area
• anyone’s feelings about the truth doesn’t matter

Question 2

what is Nihilism?

Answer 2

• There are just no truths whatsoever in that subject area
• If you believe that there are no truths, then you must believe that there is no knowledge

Question 3

What else are we realists about?

Answer 3

• Mathematics
• the distance of the sun from the earth
• objective about how the brain works

Question 4

Can you be nihilist about everything?

Answer 4

if it’s true that their are no truths at all, then the nihilist has contradicted himself

Question 5

Drawbacks of Nihilism?

Answer 5

• Extremely implausible in many subject areas
• Nihilism about everything is self defeating

Question 6

What is Relativism

Answer 6

• they agree that there is truth
• but no such thing as objective truth
• the truth is subjective
• the truth is what people feel, think ect.

Question 7

What is subjective relativism?

Answer 7

• what truths are depends upon individuals (It’s subjective)
• that’s true for me/ that’s my truth
• God is true for me/ but not you
• ex. “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder” Beauty is not out there in the world, it’s a truth that’s relative to my mind

Question 8

What is Social Relativism?

Answer 8

• What the truths are depends upon what ( the majority in?) a society or culture believe
• That’s true for us/ that’s our truth
• ex. comedy “No such thing as funny. just depends on the culture you’re from”

Question 9

What are some advantages of either kind of relativism?

Answer 9

• does God or exist? it’s true for me that God does exist, but for you he doesn’t
• it’s open minded
• taste

Question 10

Draw backs of relativism about everything?

Answer 10

• counter examples
  
  • it’s true for someone that their 11 jelly beans
  • but it’s true for them that it’s 42 beans
• Toleration and open mindedness
• A person can’t be wrong
• worst of all it’s self defeating
• All truths are relative, that’s an objective

Question 11

What is Philosophical Skepticism ?

Answer 11

• statements have truth- values but
• we don’t know what these truths are
• knows a lot less than we think, or knows nothing at all

Question 12

Draw backs of skepticism?

Answer 12

• this sets too high of a standard, you can still have knowledge without complete certainty
• contradictory beliefs rise when you believe that you’re a skeptic about everything

Question 13

Example of skepticism?

Answer 13

• Rene Descartes said….> how can I be sure of anything at all?> our senses deceive us> is it possible that we’re all dreaming?> dreams are disjointed, reality is put together> but dreams are also perfectly boring and feels just like your life> Evil Genius Hypothesis trying to mess with my head