Exam I Review Sheet
for
Knowledge and Reality

Philosophy 120

Format: The exam will consist of two parts: short answer and long answer. There will be 6-8 short answer questions of which you pick 4-5. Answers should be anywhere from one to five sentences. There will be 3 long answer questions, of which you pick 2. Answers should be about 2 blue-book pages, front and back. The exam is scheduled for Friday, October 2 at our regular class time, our regular class place. There will be a brief review in class on Wednesday, and on the discussion forum, if you choose to use it.

Some Terms

Deductive Arguments
Valid/Invalid
Sound
Inductive Arguments
Strong/Weak
Cogent
Possible Worlds
A Priori
A Posteriori
Skepticism
Direct Realism
Indirect Realism
Idealism
Materialism
Dualism
Mind-Independent Objects
Mind-Dependent Objects
Innate Knowledge
Sensation and Reflection
Primary and Secondary Qualities
Impressions
Thoughts and Ideas
Relations of Ideas
Matters of Fact
Counterinduction
Possible Worlds and Skeptical Scenarios (we will discuss this in class on 9/30)


Principles, Arguments, and Objections

Descartes' Methods of Doubt
Descartes' Argument for the Cogito
Argument from Variability and Relativity (against Direct Realism)
Argument from 'Spookiness' (of relation between ideas and mind-independent reality)
Veil of Perception
Argument from Inseparability
Argument from Inconceivability
Argument from Variability and Relativity (against Indirect Realism)
Berkeley's distinction between real vs. imaginary, the possibility of unperceived objects, and error.
Hume's two arguments for the fundamentality of Impressions, and the combinatorial nature of Ideas.
Missing Shade of Blue example
"Adam" and Billiard Ball example
The Problem of Induction



Page Last Updated: Sep. 27, 2009
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