2020-10-29

phil-1101

• Questions to guide the reading
  • What is the difference between rationalism and empiricism within philosophy?
  • What is the difference between realism and idealism?
    • Which position seems more plausible and why?
  • What is the difference between direct and indirect realism?
    • Which position seems more plausible and why?
  • David Hume claims all objects of human reason or inquiry fall into one or two classes: relations of ideas and matters of fact
    • What example does he give of relations of ideas?
    • In what sciences or disciplines does one usually find them?
  • What examples does David Hume give of matters of fact?
    • Where does one find or meet such propositions?
    • Are matters of fact known a priori or a posteriori?
  • David Hume claims we never come to know cause-effect relationships a priori but always a posteriori
    • What is the thought experiment about Adam supposed to show?
  • According to David Hume, all experimental conclusions (conclusions based on experience) are based on or presuppose the principle that the future will be like the past (Principle of Uniformity of Nature)
    • What leads us to expect similar effects from similar causes?
    • Does a single instance of cause and effect suffice to mold our expectation?
    • If not, why does a multiplicity of cases give rise to this expectation?
  • According to David Hume, thinks that such conclusions are prompted by the principle of custom habit
    • What exactly is this principle?
    • How is it supposed to explain the conclusions we draw from experience?
    • Do you think he's right?
      • Why or why not?
  • David Hume posits various principles that govern the association of ideas, with particular emphasis on the principle of constant conjunction
    • What does this principle say?
    • How is it supposed to help answer questions David Hume raised earlier about the justification for beliefs about unobserved matters of facts?
  • David Hume says he's giving a "skeptical solution" to the problem he initially raised
    • In what sense is his propose solution a skeptical one?
    • Do you find it to be a satisfying solution?
      • Why or why not?
  • What is Popper's response to David Hume's problem?
    • How satisfying is this response?
  • What is Strawson's response to David Hume's problem?
    • How satisfying is this response?