Question 1

Locke's purpose is to inquire into

Accepted Answer

A)  authoritative opinions about knowledge. 
B)  the structure and functions of the brain. 
C)  the origin and extent of human knowledge. 
D)  the essence of the soul. 
A)  authoritative opinions about knowledge. 
B)  the structure and functions of the brain. 
C)  the origin and extent of human knowledge. 
D)  the essence of the soul. C

Question 2

What is Kant's constructionist theory of knowledge? Is it plausible that we, in effect, constitute the world? Why or why not?

Accepted Answer

Kant's constructionist theory of knowledge, also known as Kantian constructivism, posits that our minds actively construct and organize our experiences of the world. According to Kant, our sensory experiences are shaped and interpreted by our mental faculties, such as space, time, and causality. This means that our understanding of the world is not simply a passive reflection of external reality, but rather a product of our cognitive processes.

Kant's theory raises the question of whether we, in effect, constitute the world through our cognitive activities. While this idea may seem plausible in the sense that our perceptions and interpretations of the world are indeed influenced by our mental structures, it is important to consider the limitations of this perspective.

On one hand, Kant's constructionist theory highlights the active role of the mind in shaping our understanding of the world, emphasizing the subjective nature of human experience. This aligns with contemporary theories in cognitive science and philosophy of mind, which emphasize the role of perception, interpretation, and conceptual frameworks in shaping our experiences.

On the other hand, it is important to recognize that Kant's theory does not imply that we literally create or constitute the external world. While our cognitive processes play a significant role in shaping our experiences, there is still an external reality that exists independently of our perceptions. Our constructions of the world are constrained by the limitations of our sensory organs and cognitive capacities, and they are subject to empirical testing and verification.

In conclusion, while Kant's constructionist theory of knowledge offers valuable insights into the active role of the mind in shaping our experiences, it is not plausible to argue that we, in effect, constitute the world. Our cognitive processes certainly influence our understanding of the world, but they do not determine the existence of an external reality. Instead, our constructions of the world are shaped by a complex interplay of subjective and objective factors.

Question 3

Locke argues that even if there were particular truths that all men agreed on, that fact would not prove the existence of innate ideas.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False  True

Question 4

Descartes says there are very few ways that we can tell whether we are dreaming.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 5

The view that we lack knowledge in some fundamental way is known as

Accepted Answer

A)  positivism. 
B)  relativism. 
C)  cognitivism. 
D)  skepticism. 
A)  positivism. 
B)  relativism. 
C)  cognitivism. 
D)  skepticism.

Question 6

Locke draws a distinction between

Accepted Answer

A)  primary and secondary colors. 
B)  internal and external feelings. 
C)  resemblances and similarities. 
D)  primary and secondary qualities. 
A)  primary and secondary colors. 
B)  internal and external feelings. 
C)  resemblances and similarities. 
D)  primary and secondary qualities.

Question 7

According to Hume, we rely on the principle of induction because it is

Accepted Answer

A)  an established truth. 
B)  a habit of mind. 
C)  confirmed by science. 
D)  inductively proven. 
A)  an established truth. 
B)  a habit of mind. 
C)  confirmed by science. 
D)  inductively proven.

Question 8

Descartes declares that an evil demon

Accepted Answer

A)  could possibly be deceiving him. 
B)  could not possibly exist. 
C)  undoubtedly exists. 
D)  must exist if God exists. 
A)  could possibly be deceiving him. 
B)  could not possibly exist. 
C)  undoubtedly exists. 
D)  must exist if God exists.

Question 9

Hume's strict empiricism leads naturally to

Accepted Answer

A)  rationalism. 
B)  skepticism. 
C)  relativism. 
D)  inductivism. 
A)  rationalism. 
B)  skepticism. 
C)  relativism. 
D)  inductivism.

Question 10

Do you think, as Descartes says, we can know some facts about the world without using our senses? Why or why not? Do you think John Locke's theory is more plausible than Descartes's? Explain.

Accepted Answer

Descartes argues that we can know some f

Question 11

Hume divides the content of the mind into ideas and impressions.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 12

Locke accepts the view that we have innate ideas about metaphysical truths.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 13

According to Locke, primary qualities of bodies are in no way resemblances of those bodies.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 14

According to Descartes, only beliefs that are certain can count as knowledge.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 15

Briefly explain the difference between rationalism and empiricism. Which view do you find more plausible? Why?

Accepted Answer

Rationalism and empiricism are two contr

Question 16

Descartes reasons that the very fact that he is thinking shows that he

Accepted Answer

A)  does not exist. 
B)  is not being deceived. 
C)  exists. 
D)  is dreaming. 
A)  does not exist. 
B)  is not being deceived. 
C)  exists. 
D)  is dreaming.

Question 17

Plato claims that when we gain knowledge of the forms, we are

Accepted Answer

A)  recalling what we knew in a previous life. 
B)  using reason to learn something new. 
C)  using sense data to discover a priori truths. 
D)  relying on the principle of induction. 
A)  recalling what we knew in a previous life. 
B)  using reason to learn something new. 
C)  using sense data to discover a priori truths. 
D)  relying on the principle of induction.

Question 18

The difficulty of justifying the assumption that the future will be like the past is known as the problem of

Accepted Answer

A)  science. 
B)  deduction. 
C)  induction. 
D)  incoherence. 
A)  science. 
B)  deduction. 
C)  induction. 
D)  incoherence.

Question 19

Locke argues that we know that external objects are real because the theory that they exist is the best explanation for the sensations we have. Is this a plausible argument? Explain.

Accepted Answer

Locke's argument that we know external o

Question 20

Why can't the principle of induction be justified empirically or a priori? If the principle of induction cannot be proven, does that mean we can't trust the findings of science? Why or why not?

Accepted Answer

The principle of induction states that i

Locke's purpose is to inquire into

What is Kant's constructionist theory of knowledge? Is it plausible that we, in effect, constitute the world? Why or why not?

Locke argues that even if there were particular truths that all men agreed on, that fact would not prove the existence of innate ideas.

Descartes says there are very few ways that we can tell whether we are dreaming.

The view that we lack knowledge in some fundamental way is known as

Locke draws a distinction between

According to Hume, we rely on the principle of induction because it is

Descartes declares that an evil demon

Hume's strict empiricism leads naturally to

Do you think, as Descartes says, we can know some facts about the world without using our senses? Why or why not? Do you think John Locke's theory is more plausible than Descartes's? Explain.

Hume divides the content of the mind into ideas and impressions.

Locke accepts the view that we have innate ideas about metaphysical truths.

According to Locke, primary qualities of bodies are in no way resemblances of those bodies.

According to Descartes, only beliefs that are certain can count as knowledge.

Briefly explain the difference between rationalism and empiricism. Which view do you find more plausible? Why?

Descartes reasons that the very fact that he is thinking shows that he

Plato claims that when we gain knowledge of the forms, we are

The difficulty of justifying the assumption that the future will be like the past is known as the problem of

Locke argues that we know that external objects are real because the theory that they exist is the best explanation for the sensations we have. Is this a plausible argument? Explain.

Why can't the principle of induction be justified empirically or a priori? If the principle of induction cannot be proven, does that mean we can't trust the findings of science? Why or why not?

Philosophy and You

God and Religion

Morality and the Moral Life

Mind and Body

Free Will and Determinism

Aesthetics

The Just Society

The Meaning of Life

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Exam 6: Knowledge and Skepticism

Locke's purpose is to inquire into

What is Kant's constructionist theory of knowledge? Is it plausible that we, in effect, constitute the world? Why or why not?

Locke argues that even if there were particular truths that all men agreed on, that fact would not prove the existence of innate ideas.

Descartes says there are very few ways that we can tell whether we are dreaming.

The view that we lack knowledge in some fundamental way is known as

Locke draws a distinction between

According to Hume, we rely on the principle of induction because it is

Descartes declares that an evil demon

Hume's strict empiricism leads naturally to

Do you think, as Descartes says, we can know some facts about the world without using our senses? Why or why not? Do you think John Locke's theory is more plausible than Descartes's? Explain.

Hume divides the content of the mind into ideas and impressions.

Locke accepts the view that we have innate ideas about metaphysical truths.

According to Locke, primary qualities of bodies are in no way resemblances of those bodies.

According to Descartes, only beliefs that are certain can count as knowledge.

Briefly explain the difference between rationalism and empiricism. Which view do you find more plausible? Why?

Descartes reasons that the very fact that he is thinking shows that he

Plato claims that when we gain knowledge of the forms, we are

The difficulty of justifying the assumption that the future will be like the past is known as the problem of

Locke argues that we know that external objects are real because the theory that they exist is the best explanation for the sensations we have. Is this a plausible argument? Explain.

Why can't the principle of induction be justified empirically or a priori? If the principle of induction cannot be proven, does that mean we can't trust the findings of science? Why or why not?

Philosophy and You

God and Religion

Morality and the Moral Life

Mind and Body

Free Will and Determinism

Aesthetics

The Just Society

The Meaning of Life

Filters