Notes for Theory of Knowledge May 7th
Berkeley questions the assumed relationship between empiricism and materialism. Asks us to analyze how we know there's a material world and what "matter" means. Berkeley believes in cause and effect, but only in personal causes.
Idealism--everything is mental or spiritual.
Phenomenalism--nouns in originary language are shorthand descriptions of collections of qualities.
Water means clear colorless liquid which quenches thirst, makes plants grow.. etc.. not H2O. (although, H2O is just a detailed analysis of sensory qualities of water.)
Scientific laws just describe observed regularities.
Berkeley-no underlying essence or nature which makes scientific laws hold - the regularity comes from God.
Regularity:
Locke -- (material world)
Berkeley -- (God)
Hume -- (?) (Association of ideas)
Modern Phenomenalism--Things/Objects are "permanent possibilities of sensation"..
Gettier problem--(for the tripartite analysis of knowledge -knowledge is true justified belief)
Examples which show true justified belief which is not knowledge.
(Replies to Gettier)
Not justified if justification is based on a false belief.