Skepticism

Epistemology

The study of knowledge. What do we know? How do we know things? What is the value of knowing things?

Skepticism

Advancing some degree of doubt about claims that are elsewhere taken for granted.

Local skepticism

skepticism confined to some set of propositions, bits of supposed knowledge, or beliefs

Radical skepticism

Skepticism that is “thoroughgoing” and applies broadly to many things

Pyrrhonian Skepticism

We should suspend our belief in everything

Academic Skepticism:

We do not know anything at all, and knowledge is impossible. Is self defeating, because how can you know you know nothing at all.

Closure Principle

If you know that P, and P deductively entails Q, then you are in a position to know that Q

External word skepticism

Raising doubt that the external (physical) world exists.

Why does Descartes decide to “demolish everything” that he beliefs? What is his ultimate goal?

By demolishing everything, Descartes plan to rebuild the truth by deterring what he knows to be true (foundational believes)

Descartes approach to the Meditations is sometimes called radical methodological skepticism. What does each term in the phrase mean?

Radical meaning it takes on a extreme viewpoint, methodological implies a particular method or plan for proceeding, and skepticism is the act of doubting that which we take to be true.

Foundationalism

The idea that we need foundational beliefs in order to justify other derived beliefs. These foundational beliefs do not require further justification— they are supposed to be self-evident

Descartes initial problem with senes and perception

They can be incorrect at small or long distances. Perceptions are identical to that of dreams, so how do we know that we are not dreaming?

How does Descartes conclude that there is an “I”.

Descartes concludes that because he thinks therefore he must at least be a thinking thing.

Empiricism

All knowledges comes from experience

Rationalism

At least some knowledge comes from the intellect

Wax

Goes under a transformation, but is still recognized as the same object. Descartes uses to suggest that outside of our perceptions humans have rationality that allow us to make deeper connections and assertions.

Which of these is NOT a motivator considered by Descartes for his skepticism?
A) Dreaming, B) Madness
C) Living in a simulation D) Evil Demon/Deceiver

C) Living in a simulation

How does Moore argue that there is an external world?
A) By holding up his two Hands.
B) By kicking a rock, and exclaiming “I refute skepticism thus!”
C) By making a transcendental argument, claiming that only objects external to himself can serve as the references by which he determines temporal order.

A) By holding up his two Hands.

Does Moore claim that he can prove the premises of his argument for an external world? Yes or No?

No

Moore’s 3 conditions for a proof

1) The premises are different from the conclusion. 2) The premises are known. 3) The argument is valid in form.

Reductio

A form of argument which disproves a proposition by showing that it leads to absurdity when carried to its logical conclusion.

Moorean fact

A fact whose truth we are more certain of than we are of the premises in any philosophical argument that might be given for its falsity

Chambers Argument A

1. If there are no sim blockers, most humanlike beings are sims.

2. If more humanlike beings are sims, we are probably sims.

   If there are no sim blockers, we are probably sims

Chalmers argument B

1. At least one in ten noncom populations will each create thousand sim populations

2. If at least one in ten nonism populations will each create a thousand sim populations, then at least 99 percent of intelligent beings are sims.

   1. If at least 99 percent of intelligent beings are sims, we are probably sims.

      We are probably sims.

Sim blockers

Simulation is too difficult to ever happen, nonism populations will die before producing sims, noncoms will choose not to make sims, intelligent sims are impossible, sims take too much computer power, There is not enough matter I the universe, nonsim populations destroy themselves are reaching such technology, more noncoms than sims will be created.

Metaphysics

The branch of philosophy that studies fundamental reality(first principles, the structure of reality, the nature of being, ontology, universals/particulars, parenthood(serology) and abstract concepts such as substance, causation, identity, time and space )

Ethics

The branch of philosophy that studies right and wrong, rules for action, proper conduct, virtue and flourishing.

modus tollens

1. If P, then Q

2. not Q

   therefore not P