Overview
Philosophy 1 - Introduction to Philosophy
Fall 2025
Exam #6
Write one essay. The essay should be typed and double-spaced, approximately three pages.
DO NOT USE THE INTERNET TO RESEARCH THESE QUESTIONS. Anything cited or downloaded from the internet will be considered plagiarism. See syllabus for penalties for plagiarism.
Try to make your answers as complete as possible, that is, when in doubt, explain. Write your essays in your own words; no quotes, please. Resist the temptation to quote from texts; instead, explain in your own words. You may use a quote to fortify an argument or explanation but not in lieu of an explanation.
Choose a or b:
a) Explain Descartes' method of doubt. How does he arrive at and justify the cogito? Does his epistemology allow for certainty? Why is Descartes a modern philosopher and not a medieval philosopher? Why is he considered a rationalist? Why is he not an empiricist?
b) John Locke makes the case that there are no innate ideas. How does he justify this thesis? What are some of the difficulties of Locke's theory of knowledge? Does his epistemology allow for certainty? Why is Locke a modern philosopher and not a medieval philosopher? Why is he considered an empiricist? Why is he not a rationalist?