Test 2 chapter 2

Question 1

Barriers and its two main categories

Answer 1

Hindrances that arise because of how we think, caused by psychological factors (our fears, motivations, attitudes and desires)

Hindrances that occur because of what we think, caused by philosophical ideas we have (our beliefs about beliefs)

Question 2

Self interested thinking can

Answer 2

Prevent careful evaluations of claims
Limit critical thinking
Blind you to the facts
Provoke self deception
Encourage rationalizations
Lead you to suppress or ignore evidence
Promote wishful thinking

Question 3

Principle

Answer 3

If a claim conflicts with other claims, we have good reason to accept, we have good reasons for doubting it

e.g. : “I saw a baby lift a 500 kilogram weight”

Question 4

Background beliefs

Answer 4

The sun is hot, fire burns, and humans are mortal

Question 5

Experts and evidence

Answer 5

Relevant expertise provides us with reasons for believing a claim because 1) they have more access to information on the subject than we do and 2) they are better at judging the information than we are

Therefore, if a claim conflicts with an expert opinion, we have good reason to doubt it

Question 6

Social relativism

Answer 6

The view that truth is relative to societies

Involves being open minded, learning about others cultures, and trying to understand perspectives

Question 7

Philosophical skepticism

Answer 7

The view that we know much less than we think we do

Implies that individuals are infallible

S knows that P iff

1) S believes that P
2) P is true
3) S is justified in believing P

Knowledge = JTB (justified to believe)

Question 8

Subjective relativism

Answer 8

The idea that truth depends on what someone believes

Principles

Individualism
Personal perspective
No universal standards
Non judgemental
Personal choice