PhB Bachelor of Philosophy Bachelor of Philosophy: Knowledge and Skepticism 2

Question 1

Which philosopher argued that we can never truly know the external world because our senses only give us appearances, not things-in-themselves?

Accepted Answer

Immanuel Kant

Answer

Kant distinguished between phenomena (appearances) and noumena (things-in-themselves), arguing we can only know the former.

Question 2

The 'closure principle' in epistemology states that if you know P, and you know that P implies Q, then:

Accepted Answer

You know Q

Answer

The closure principle holds that knowledge is closed under known entailment, so knowing P and knowing P→Q entails knowing Q.

Question 3

What does the term 'epistemic circularity' refer to?

Accepted Answer

Justifying a belief-forming process using that same process

Answer

Epistemic circularity occurs when a source of belief (e.g., perception) is validated by appealing to beliefs gained through that same source.

Question 4

According to reliabilism, a belief counts as knowledge when it is:

Accepted Answer

Produced by a reliable cognitive process

Answer

Reliabilism, associated with Alvin Goldman, holds that justified belief is produced by cognitive processes that tend to yield true beliefs.

Question 5

The 'lottery paradox,' introduced by Henry Kyburg, shows a tension between:

Accepted Answer

High probability and justified belief in conjunction

Answer

Kyburg's paradox shows that if high probability suffices for justified belief, we can be justified in believing each ticket will lose, yet we know one ticket must win.

PhB Bachelor of Philosophy Practice Test

PhB Bachelor of Philosophy Practice Test

PhB Bachelor of Philosophy Bachelor of Philosophy: Knowledge and Skepticism 2