Reference no: EM13522782

1. What kind of “model” does our sensorium use to bring us knowledge of the external world? How does the information which this model makes possible compare with “reality” itself? Is the information thus received reliable? Is it useful? What determines whether the model of reality we hold is “true”? How does this understanding of truth compare with your own beliefs about truth?

2. How is the term “survival” used in this article? How does it relate to “human nature”? Name and describe at least three ways we strive to survive other than by postponing death—ways that are important to you personally. How do you think obtaining knowledge through our senses aids us in surviving in those ways?

3. What is meant by the term summum bonum? Choose at least five philosophers among those listed and describe what they answer to the question, what is the good life (what is the highest good man can pursue)? Which answer among those five do you agree with most (or which one do you like best)? Why do you think you chose that one?

4. The article says the object of the five senses is NOT to deliver a literal duplication of the phenomenal world to our minds. If we assume that what we observe is a literal picture of reality, what are some consequences that could threaten our survival? Consider Plato’s answer to this question. Do you agree or disagree with Plato? What evidence can you cite to support your conclusion?

5. What does the article say are the two strengths our senses possess as a channel of knowledge? Give a concrete example out of your own experience to show how at least one of them aids our survival. Be specific.

6. What does Bacon say is the goal of science? What was his view concerning both inductive and deductive reasoning? How does modern induction differ from Bacon’s view of it? Why has Peirce been called the father of modern scientific method? What was Peirce’s insight about the role of inductive and deductive reasoning? Describe two differences between inductive and deductive reasoning. What does it mean that inductive arguments are about the relations between “things” (not ideas)?

7. What is the difference between “information” and “knowledge”, and how does the article say we obtain each? How many types of inductive articles are there? What are the most common types of inductive arguments described in the article? How many of these do you think you have used at some time? Give an example of one of them. 8. Use the examples of inductive arguments to do the following things. Select one of the types of induction listed, and construct an argument to prove something about politics or economics. Select a second one, and construct an argument to prove something about religion. Choose a third one, and construct an argument to prove something about health.