- 18 Mar, 2021
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Choose one of the following philosophers and discuss one of their key epistemological claims
Choose one of the following philosophers and discuss one of their key epistemological claims.
Rene Descartes
John Locke
George Berkeley
David Hume
Immanuel Kant
Do you agree with the philosopher’s claim. Why or why not? Would you make an adjustment to their theory or insert some kind of qualification?
It might be an argument you agree with, you are on the fence about, or you consider absurd. You don’t have to outline the philosopher’s entire theory. You can focus on just one claim they make. For instance, you might discuss:
Why Descartes thinks the senses are an inadequate source of knowledge
Locke’s concept of the mind as a “blank piece of paper”
Locke’s distinction between primary and secondary qualities
Berkeley’s claim of “To be is to be perceived”
Hume’s argument that you can’t have knowledge of an idea you can’t trace back to an impression
Kant’s distinction between the “phenomena” and the “noumena”
You are encouraged to try and talk about an argument not discussed by another classmate (if possible). Be sure to respond to two classmates on different days by the end of the week.
Grade Rubric (note: 8 discussions account for 15% of your total grade)
Prompt requirement
Points
1. Accurate explanation of the philosopher’s argument
3
2. Critical discussion of the argument
3
3. Response to one classmate
2
4. Response to second classmate