Overview
Consider the example of marking ice in a freezer. How do we know that the water we placed in the freezer is the same thing as the ice we take out later? What would Descartes and Locke tell us about how we know the “thing” that is the water and the ice?
How would Goldman describe money, and our knowledge of money having value? How does this relate to community and society? What would Hume claim about the money’s value?
- Describe veritistic epistemology, and compare it to Descartes’ description of his method for understanding how he is a thinking existing being.
- According to Descartes, how is my clear and distinct idea of a chair different from my innate idea of God? What would Locke say about the idea of God?
- Explain Locke’s distinction between sensations and reflections, and Hume’s distinction between impressions and ideas. How are their theories alike, and how do they differ? Whose view is most convincing? Be sure to explain each philosopher’s key terms in your answer.
- Compare and contrast rationalism (Descartes) and empiricism (Locke). Be sure to explain the key terms from each philosopher’s work in your answer.