Assignment
Introduction to Philosophy
Exam:
- From each section below choose 1 question to answer. In your answer, please make it clear which questions you've chosen.
- All answers are to be written in point 12 font, double-spaced with standard margins.
Section I: Descartes(Answers for this section should be no less than 1 double-spaced page/aprox 260 words).
1. Why is Descartes unable to doubt his own existence, and what dose he mean when he says, "I think therefor I am"?
2. In Meditation III, Descartes notes that ideas have 3 origins. Name them, and explain why he thinks the Idea of God belongs to the category of "innate" ideas.
3. Descartes is a Rationalist. Explain what this means with regard to his opinions on knowledge, reason, and certainty.
Section II: Hume (Answers for this section should be no less than 1 double-spaced page/aprox 260 words).
1. Explain Hume's notion of "Impressions" and "Ideas". Give an example of each, and explain why he thinks one must always come before the other.
2. In Hume's dialogue on religion, the Character Philo is skeptical of Cleanthes' argument for the existence of God. Explain 2 problems that Philo finds with Cleanthes' argument.
3. What does Hume mean when he says that the "self" dose not actually exist, and is merely an issue of grammar?
Section III: Rorty(Answers for this section should be no less than 1 double-spaced page/aprox 260 words).
1. Explain the different between the "Realist" approach to truth and knowledge vs. the "Pragmatist" approach to those same issues.
Answers for this section are up to you regarding length
1. In as much detail as possible, explain Kant's definition of Enlightenment.