General Instructions: Complete your answers on separate pages and then staple this sheet on top of your typewritten solutions. The only allowable sources of information are your notes, your textbook, and your memory. This exam is due at the beginning of class on Thursday, April 29th at 1pm.
I. Define and explain the philosophical significance of 18 of the following terms. Be sure to identity at least one philosopher with whom the term is associated (if I have not already done so). [2 points each]
(a) Intuitive Knowledge | (i) Cartesian Dualism | (q) Sensitive Knowledge |
(b) Things-in-themselves | (j) Constant Conjunction | (r) Innate principle |
(c) A priori proposition | (k) Proof (Hume) | (s) Empiricism |
(d) Rationalism | (l) Analytic proposition | (t) Appearance |
(e) Simple Idea | (m) Secondary Quality | (u) Custom Principle |
(f) Empiricist Principle | (n) Meaning Test | (v) Miracle |
(g) Sensation (Kant) | (o) Antinomy of Pure Reason | (w) Synthesis |
(h) Impression | (p) Reflection (Locke) | (x) Pure Intuition |
II. Answer both of the following:
(y) Present Locke's, Hume's, and Kant's theory of Knowledge.
For each philosopher, be sure to provide his account of (a) ideas
and propositions, i.e. the objects of knowledge, (b) the types
of knowledge, (c) the degrees of knowledge, (d) the preconditions
of knowledge, and (e) the limits of possible knowledge.
In all cases of a difference of opinion you should (i) explain
the difference and (ii) discuss which philosopher gives a more
plausible account. To aid your discussion, you should provide
concrete examples of how the three philosophers would handle gaining
knowledge of things such as chalk, people, our own mental states,
mathematics, etc. [44 points]
(z) Very briefly describe a 'rationalist', i.e. Descartes, Spinoza, or Leibniz, account of (i) Substance and (ii) Causation. Present and explain (i) Locke's critique of the rationalist account of Substance and (ii) Hume's critique of the rationalist account of causation. Evaluate both critiques, i.e. discuss whether the critiques are successful and support your views. Finally, briefly present Kant's attempt to reconcile 'rationalism' and 'empiricism' and describe how his views might impact on both Locke's and Hume's critiques. [20 points]
Sign and return this sheet with your exam. Unpledged exams will not be graded!
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