Theories of Knowledge - 4/12/02

Stoicism - religious dogmatism
- perception as reliable - external objects mold themselves on our minds like a wax seal.
- Metaphysical beliefs could be deduced "a priori" (through pure reason) - God, his existence and nature, morality, free will and providence.
- Original goal of knowledge seeker is tranquility.
- Initial belief: certainly will bring tranquility.
- Certainty is unattainable, - seeker gives up.
- Giving up brings tranquility.
- Common sense - Can the skeptic follow common sense without firmly believing in it?
- Maybe the skeptic can have beliefs about what will probably fulfill his desires (get pleasure, avoid pain).
- Beliefs about appearances - make tentative judgements Vs. Beliefs about reality (metaphysics) - withhold judgment.
- Similar to early Buddism - Parable of the arrow - some information is irrelivent.
- Confucius - "How shall we know about death if we don't yet know about life?".
- Pascal - "You should believe in God because it is your best bet. - serious consequences for disbelief (hell) - no consequences if God exists".
- Modern Epistemology began with Descartes, 17th century French Philosopher - attempt to lay groundwork for modern science - reconcile science and religion.
- Descartes' Book - "Meditations of first Philosophy".
- Before Descartes, philosophy was Aristotle and the Bible - philosophy is the handmaid of theology.
- Descartes wanted philosophy as an independent enterprise - separate from theology.
- Descartes is a methodological skeptic, not a substansive skeptic.
- Purpose of skeptical argument - clear away half-baked, preconceived notions.
- Doubt everything - whatever is left is the foundation of knowledge.
- 1. Dream Argument
- 2. Arch Deceiver Argument