Prof. Paslaru - Philosophy 103, Exam 1
What are the 3 types of knowledge?
1) Propositional Knowledge (The earth is round) 2) Knowledge by acquaintance (I know my friend) *Use of senses* 3) Knowledge how / procedural knowledge (How to tie shoes)
What does it mean to be "Morally answerable?"
It means to be the "agent" of the particular moral action.
What is "Logic"? (p. xxxiii-xIii)
Logic - The study of the use of rules of good reasoning
What is "Metaphysics"?
Metaphysics - "The nature and structure of reality"
What are some indicators of a premise?
"If" / "Because" / "It is such that" / "Let us assume"
What are some indicators of conclusions?
"Then" / "Obviously" / "Therefore"
What two conditions must be met for someone to be morally blameworthy?
Biases must violate moral norms or expectations to which we are legitimately subject. We must lack a sufficient excuse or justification for such actions.
Don Marquis: Why Abortion is Immoral (p. 706 - 714)
(Anti-Abortion) "Why is it wrong to kill adult humans?" - It would be preventing the adults of gaining valuable experiences. - The future of a fetus includes experiences and activities; such which are identical with adults and young children (709).
Judith Jarvis Thompson: A Defense of Abortion (p. 697 - 705)
(Pro-Abortion) - Thomson's main idea is that abortion should be permitted in some cases such as: rape and endangerment of the host's life. (703) - Thomson argues that "Having a right to life does not guarantee having either a right to be given that use of or a right to be allowed continued use of another person's body - even if one needs it for life itself" (701). *THINK VIOLINIST ANALOGY* - "A woman surely can defend her life against the threat to it posed by the unborn child, even if doing so involves its death" (699).
What is a "Necessary Condition"?
(a) is necessary for (b) "iff" the falsity of (a) guarantees the falsity of (b)
What is a "Sufficient Condition"?
(a) is sufficient for (b) "iff" the truth of (a) guarantees the truth of (b)
What is a *Concrete* Argument? (p. xIii-Ii.)
*Concrete* Argument - A valid argument with subject matter generated from a schematic argument.
What is a *Good* Argument? (p. xIii-Ii.)
*Good* Argument - An argument which premises must be credible independently of the conclusion.
What is an *Inductive* Argument? (p. xIii-Ii.)
*Inductive* Argument - An argument which infers a general rule based on a series of observations exhibiting a pattern.
What is a *Valid* Argument? (p. xxxiii-xIii)
*Valid* Argument - An argument that has both true premises and a true conclusion.
What is moral blameworthiness (2 Conditions)
1) A moral norm has to be violated. 2) No excuse or justification can be provided.
What are some examples of a fallacy?
A false dilemma / Biased "Wrong authority" (No proper credentials)
What is an Argument? (p. xxxiii-xIii)
Argument - A sequence of statements (called premises) to determine the validity of another statement (the conclusion).
What is "Propositional Knowledge"?
Belief --> Truth --> Justification 1) (s) believes (p) 2) (p) is true 3) (s) is justified in believing (p) *All 3 are considered "Necessary Conditions." Together, they are a "Sufficient Condition" for knowledge*
What is a "Counterexample"?
Counterexample - shows that the premises are true, but the conclusion is false *THINK PAPER MACHE BARN or 10 COINS IN POCKET ANALOGY*
What is "Knowledge"?
If what you claim satisfies the truth, then you have knowledge
What does "Presupposition" mean?
Implicit assumptions
What does it mean to reconstruct an argument? (p. xxxiii-xIii)
Reconstructing an argument means to: 1) Identify the conclusion 2) Identify the premises supporting the conclusion 3) Interpret the conclusion 4) Assess whether the argument is valid 5) Assess whether the premises are true
What is "Standard Form" of an argument? (p. xxxiii-xIii)
Standard Form - Lists premises and conclusion on separate lines. (a)... (b)... if (a) and (b) then (c)
Edmund Gettier, Is Justified True Belief Knowledge? (p. 143-148)
Used counterexamples to show that (1, 2, and 3) in propositional knowledge are not sufficient conditions for knowledge.
Why is being "Well intentioned" not sufficient for morally good action?
We must also be sure that our view of the world is not distorted by subconscious biases that cannot be rationally or morally justified.
