Philosophy 202 6-3-02

*Study guide from Tuesday by 1pm or wed. in class
*Start exam Thurs the 6th @10:00am, Due Wed. the 12th @ 8pm
*Friday: REview Session
Lab closes 5pm on Friday

Ch.17
Assuming beliefs are under your control in some way...
1)you have a moral obligation to believe the truth.
-seek it
-weigh evidence objectively
-without assent where the evidence is not decisive
-avoid wishful thinking and self deception

2)there's no moral obligation to believe the truth, although there maybe good pragmatic reasons. Belief is personal, your own business. Morally is social, depends on behavior.

Things you can do to avoid false beliefs.
1)suspend beliefs until you're certain about the matter.
2)Pay attention to certain things
3)recognize tendency to validate own beliefs
4)"knee-jerk" reaction- react to belief and evaluate based on bias vs. careful consideration.

Moral obligation believe truth
1)duty-(deontological)
*duty to believe truth, avoid falsehood
2)maximize true beliefs and minimize false ones when this produces the most happiness (utilitarian). Truth is only good as means of happiness

EXTRA CREDIT
2-3 pages
double spaced
typed
analyze the beliefs you had at the beginning of class. Have any questions risen in your mind about their justification? what were these questions? and what do you believe now.