Epistemology Homework

Epistemology

Chapter 6/7 Homework

(This is chapter 6 in the 6th edition, or chapter 7 in the 7th edition.)

More to Read:

Metaphysics and Socrates

Instructions

There are four parts to this assignment. Each part requires you to type in information.

Definitions
How each philosopher thinks you acquire knowledge
Compare each philosopher
Précis

Part One / Definitions

In your own words define/explain the following Concepts:

Rationalism –

Empiricism –

Mysticism –

Pragmatism-

Methodical Skepticism –

Common Sense Skepticism –

Absolute Skepticism –

Innate Ideas-

Aprioi-

Tabula Rasa-

A Posteriori-

Cartesian Foundationalism-

Evendentialism-

Correspondence theory of Truth-

Coherence theory of truth-

Part Two / What each philosopher thinks is really real

Do the following:

1. Fill in the blanks for each philosopher.

2. Make sure explain what each philosopher believes is the basis for knowledge and why.

Al-Ghazali

What does Al-Ghazali think is the basis for knowledge? _________________________

Al-Ghazali is a (absolute skeptic, common sense skeptic, or a methodical skeptic)

___________________ regarding knowledge because _________________________

______________________________________________________________________

Al-Ghazaliis a (mystic, rationalist, empiricist, or a pragmatist) ____________________

regarding knowledge because______________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

Do any additional terms apply to Al-Ghazali, such as (a priori, innate ideas, aposteriori or

tabula rasa)? ____________________________________________________________

Explain why ____________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

Descartes

What does Descartes think is the basis for knowledge? _________________________

Descartes is a (absolute skeptic, common sense skeptic, or a methodical skeptic)

___________________ regarding knowledge because _________________________

______________________________________________________________________

Descartes is a (mystic, rationalist, empiricist, or a pragmatist) ____________________

regarding knowledge because______________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

Do any additional terms apply to Descartes, such as (a priori, innate ideas, a posteriori or tabula rasa)?

____________________________________________________________

Explain why ____________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

Hume

What does Hume think is the basis for knowledge? _____________________________

Hume is a (absolute skeptic, common sense skeptic, or a methodical skeptic)

___________________ regarding knowledge because _________________________

______________________________________________________________________

Hume is a (mystic, rationalist, empiricist, or a pragmatist) _______________________

regarding knowledge because______________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

Do any additional terms apply to Hume, such as (a priori, innate ideas, aposteriori or

tabula rasa)? ____________________________________________________________

Explain why ____________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

Willaim James

William K. Clifford is probable besti identified as a evendentialist which is a form of

absolute skeptic. How did this influence William James? _________________________

______________________________________________________________________

What does James think is the basis for knowledge? _____________________________

James is a (absolute skeptic, common sense skeptic, or a methodical skeptic)

___________________ regarding knowledge because __________________________

______________________________________________________________________

James is a (mystic, rationalist, empiricist, or a pragmatist) ________________________

regarding knowledge because_______________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

Do any additional terms apply to James, such as (a priori, innate ideas, aposteriori or

tabula rasa)? ____________________________________________________________

Explain why ____________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

Part Three / Compare and Contrast

Do the following…

1. Below is a list of each philosopher paired with every other philosopher.

2. Write what each believes is the basis for knowledge, along with a list of the appropriate concepts.

3. Then use the concepts to compare what each philosopher believes in a paragraph. I have done an example for you below.

List of Philosophers

Al-Ghazali       and      Descartes
Al-Ghazali       and      Hume
Al-Ghazali       and      James
Descartes        and      Hume
Descartes        and      James
Hume              and      James

Example

Al-Ghazali and Descartes

Mysticism Rationalism

Mystic Rationalist

Methodical Skeptic Methodical Skeptic

No additional terms A priori and Innate Ideas

As you may have noticed this compare and contrast is much simpler than the ‘what is really real?’ compare and contrast.

Part 4 / Precise

The topic for this précis is one of the readings for the ‘Epistemology.’ The options are: Al-Ghazali, Descartes, Hume or James. You may not read William Clifford’s reading for the précis, but you should still read it as it is assigned.

Instructions

Read one of the readings from the book.
Fill out the précis form below or write it out in a paragraph

Sentence 1 (Who/What?)

__________________in the ______________, _______________________________

(Author’s Full Name) (A-noun) (Title of text)

_________________, _______________, that ___________________________

(B-verb) (Point of Article/Book etc…)

_________________________________________________________________

Sentence 2 (How?)

_______________ supports his/her ____________ by ______________________

(Author’s Last Name) (B-noun) (C–verb / used as gerund)

_________________________________________________________________

Sentence 3 (Why?)

The author’s purpose is to _____________________________________________

(D-verb / used as infinitive)

__________________________ in order to/so that ________________________

_________________________________________________________________

Sentence 4 (To Whom?)

The author writes in a _____________ style for___________________________

(E–adjective)

_________________________________________________________________

(his/her audience, the readers of)

and others interested in the topic of ___________________________________ .

(The point of the essay etc…)

Word Bank

These are merely suggestions. Feel free to use other words.

Section A

(news/magazine/

journal) article

book review, editorial,

first-hand report,

personal or

biographical essay,

biography,

research report

Section B

analyzes/analysis

argues/argument,

asserts/assertion,

discusses/discussion,

focuses on/focus

explains/explanation

Section C

comparing / contrasting

retelling, explaining,

illustrating, defending,

demonstrating,

defining, describing,

listing, arguing, showing,

justifying, relating,

reporting, noting,

emphasizing, pointing

out, highlighting the fact

Section D

argue,

call attention to,

deny,

show,

point out,

prove

suggest,

inform,

persuade,

disclose,

report,

convince

Section E

(register/language)

formal, impersonal

casual, informal

(tone)

humorous,

emotional,

friendly,

reasoned,

logical,

exaggerated,

Last Updated on July 14, 2019