Philosophy 201                                         Name:____________________________________

Fall 2006

First Exam

 

Part One—six points each

Short Answer: Answer all of the following questions. Answers should be 1 - 3 sentences.

 

1. What is the scope of Descartes’ dream argument?

 

 

 

 

2. Is the following argument sound? Why or why not?

           1. If it’s Friday, then I’m at the movies.

           2. I’m at the movies.

           3. Therefore, it’s Friday.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3. Give an example of something that Hume would consider a relation of ideas. Why would he consider your example a relation of ideas, rather than a matter of fact?

 

 

 

 

 

 

4. What conception of knowledge is Gettier calling into question? Briefly explain how he criticizes that conception of knowledge.

 

 

 

 

 

 

5. How does Socrates, in the Meno, refute Meno’s claim that some people know that bad things are bad and desire bad things?

 

Part Two—twenty points each

Identification: Name the author of the following passage. Explain the passage, and explain the role of this selection in the author’s work as a whole.

 

1. If there be any suspicion that the course of nature may change, and that the past may be no rule for the future, all experience becomes useless, and can give rise to no inference or conclusion. It is impossible, therefore, that any arguments from experience can prove this resemblance of the past to the future; since all these arguments are founded on the supposition of that resemblance.
2. Indeed, we have probably achieved something relevant to finding out how matters stand, for now, as he does not know, he would be glad to find out, whereas before he thought he could easily make many fine speeches to large audiences about the square of double size and said that it must have a base twice as long.

Part Three—thirty points

Essay: Answer ONE of the following questions. Be sure to address all parts of the question.

 

1.  Explain, in detail, Descartes' skeptical argument with which he casts doubt upon knowledge of mathematics.  How does Descartes attempt to overcome this doubt?  Is he successful, in your opinion?  Why or why not?

 

2.  Explain Meno’s paradox (the paradox of learning).  How does Socrates attempt to overcome this obstacle to learning?  Does he succeed, in your opinion?  Why or why not?  What other answers (if any) to Meno’s question might work?  Should we try to overcome this obstacle?  Why or why not?

 

4. How does Gettier argue that justified true belief is not knowledge?  Explain at least one "Gettier case" and explain its significance.  Evaluate a response to the Gettier problem.