Problem 1: Why is Clifford's essay called "The Ethics of Belief"? Give an example to illustrate your point. How does his ideas about ethics and beliefs connect to the themes illustrated in Dr. King's "Letter from Birmingham Jail"? Be specific.
Problem 2: Descartes famously declares, "But what am I? A thinking thing." This lends to his proclamation, "I think, therefore I am." How does this discovery "I think therefore I am" relate to epistemological skepticism? Given his declaration, what does Descartes believe we CAN be certain about and what does Descartes believe we CAN'T be certain about regarding being insane, asleep, or deceived? Explain your answer.
Problem 3: Descartes uses his "piece of wax" example to illustrate the differences between how a rationalist believes we acquire knowledge and how an empiricist believes we acquire knowledge. Come up with your own example (NOT Descartes wax example) to show the differences in acquiring knowledge as a rationalist vs. acquiring knowledge as an empiricist. Be sure to connect your example to ideas in both rationalism and empiricism.
Problem 4: According to James, what is a "genuine" option? Use a specific and original (not one from the text) example to illustrate how James believes we must make decisions regarding genuine options. Using the example you just gave, explain Clifford's criticism/objection to James' conclusion about making decision regarding genuine options? In other words, using your example of a genuine option, how would James' decide and how might Clifford object to that decision-making process?
Problem 5: King states, "An injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." Explain what he means and give an example NOT from the textbook (NOT segregation). How does King's idea of justice/injustice relate to Rawls' idea of determining what is just or unjust? Explain how their views are similar or different using the example you just provided.