Philosophy April 19th Objective Opener Is it possible to be emotional and rational at the same time? Describe a rational person. Describe an emotional person.

Chapter 7 The Problem of Skepticism and Knowledge © 2013 McGraw-Hill Companies. All Rights Reserved. McGraw-Hill

The Problem of Knowledge and Skepticism How is knowledge of the external world possible given that our only source of knowledge is sense experience? What is it to have knowledge? Must you be justified in believing something in order to know it?

Types of Knowledge Knowledge by acquaintance (knowing what)— experiential knowledge. Can we be certain of reality? Philosophical Skeptics say No. Performative knowledge (knowing how)—skill knowledge. Propositional knowledge (knowing that)—factual knowledge. * Give one example of each type of knowledge

What is Knowledge? Socratic Method “True opinions are a fine thing and do all sorts of good so long as they stay in their place, but they will not stay long. They run away from a man’s mind; so they are not worth much until you tether them by working out the reason…Once they are tied down, they become knowledge.” Plato Knowledge is true belief that is based on reason. Determining when a belief is adequately based on reason or justified is one of the major tasks of epistemology.

2 sources of knowledge: Rationalism vs. Empiricism Rationalism is the doctrine that reason is the only source of knowledge of the external world. Empiricism is the doctrine that sense experience is the only source of knowledge of the external world.

A-priori vs. A-posteriori Propositions An a-priori proposition is one that can be known prior to or independently of sense experience. (either it is raining or it is not raining) An a-posteriori proposition is one that can only be known after one has acquired sense experience. (it is raining, water boils at 212 degrees F. ) *Write your own examples of each

Theories of Truth According to the correspondence theory, a proposition is made true by its correspondence to reality. According to the coherence theory, a proposition is made true by its coherence with a system of beliefs. According to the pragmatic theory, a proposition is made true by its practical consequences. *What could be an objection to each of these theories?

Cognitive Subjectivism and Cultural Relativism According to cognitive subjectivism, a proposition is made true by an individual’s believing it to be true. “Man is the measure of all things, of existing things that they exist, and of nonexisting things that they do not exist.” Protagoras According to cognitive cultural relativism, a proposition is made true by a society believing it to be true. Objection: Both views are self-contradictory because a proposition and its negation could both be believed to be true.

“Truth, says the cultural relativist, is culture-bound “Truth, says the cultural relativist, is culture-bound. But if if were, then he, within his own culture, ought to see his own culture-bound truth as absolute. He cannot proclaim cultural relativism without rising above it, and he cannot rise above it without giving it up.” W.V.O. Quine

Minimal Correspondence Theory The doctrine that a proposition is true if and only if things are as it says they are. Advantages: Preserves the insight that propositions are made true by the way the world is. Doesn’t fall prey to the criticisms that were fatal to the other theories of truth.