A Level Philosophy (Year 1) Exam
Questions And All Correct Answers.
What is philosophical scepticism? [3] - Answer Philosophical scepticism is the position that our usual
justifications for claiming that beliefs amount to knowledge are inadequate, it is used a measure to test
the strength of our knowledge/ justifications. Philosophical scepticism arises when the sceptic's
hypothesis/challenge is said to render one's ordinary evidence insufficient for justifying one's belief that
p. The grounds for doubt cannot be removed by ordinary evidence (but may be combatted by
philosophical argument).
What is propositional knowledge? - Answer propositional knowledge is factual & knowing that a
certain proposition is true or false- knowing that 2+2=4, knowing that Shakespeare wrote hamlet etc. We
speak of knowing this through language- requires language and concepts, can only be had by humans,
more formal form of knowledge, requires self- awareness. The only knowledge you CANNOT be born
with.
What is acquaintance knowledge? [3] - Answer Acquaintance knowledge is knowing of; knowing of a
place, of a sensation or a feeling, for example knowing the taste of pineapple having tried it, some
philosophers regard knowledge by acquaintance with our particular sense data (shape, size, colour etc)
and without input of these senses our mind would be a blank slate- tabular rasa. Expressed more
through behaviour.
What is ability knowledge? [3] - Answer Ability knowledge is knowing how, practical knowledge;
knowing how to swim, how to ride a bike, how to read- through experience. Expressed through actions
more than language.
Briefly explain why Aristotle thinks pleasure is not the only good? [3] - Answer According to Aristotle,
what is good is a 'final end', something we aim for at it its own sake. Pleasure is not the only good
because, he argues, pleasure is not the only things that we aim at for its own sake. There are other
things which we seek out, such as knowledge and virtue, that we would seek out even if they brought us
no pleasure. The pleasure they bring is not why we seek them out. They are also final ends, not means to
pleasure.
Outline the tripartite definition of knowledge [3] - Answer Tripartite definition of knowledge claims
that If someone knows a proposition then all three conditions must be satisfied- justified true belief, so
the it has to be justified, true and you have to believe. JTB is necessary and sufficient for propositional
,knowledge (S knows P if and only if S is justified in believing that P, P is true, S believes that P). They are
jointly sufficient and individually necessary.
Outline the no false lemmas definition of knowledge [3] - Answer No false lemmas adds an extra
condition to the JTB definition to avoid the gettier cases.
P1) P is true
P2) You believe that P
P3) Your belief that P is justified
P4) You did not infer that P from a false belief
Outline the infallibilist definition of knowledge [3] - Answer P1) No one can know what is false
C1) Therefore, if I know that P then I can't be mistaken about P.
C2) Therefore, for justification to secure knowledge, justification must guarantee truth.
C3) Therefore, If i am justified in believing that P, I can't be mistaken about P.
C4) Therefore, if it is possible that I am mistaken, then I can't be justified in believing that P.
C5) Therefore, Infallibilism is true
It rules out Gettier cases and fake barn but rules out all other forms of knowledge essentially.
Outline the Reliabilist's definition of knowledge [3] - Answer P1) P is true
P2) You believe that P, and
P3) Your belief is formed by a reliable cognitive proccess
C) Reliabilism shows knowledge
A reliable process is one that produces high percentages of true beliefs (e.g. perception, memory and
testimony). Allows animals and young children to have knowledge but does not solve the gettier cases,
fake barn or brain in a vat because your reliable process has let you down.
Outline the Virtue Epistemology definition of knowledge [3] - Answer P1. P is True
P2. You believe that P, and
P3. Your belief is a result of exercising your epistemic virtues.
C) VE provides the correct definition of knowledge.
,Solves fake barn and Gettier cases.
Outline Plato's slave boy argument [3] - Answer P1) The slave boy has no prior knowledge of geometry
P2) Socrates only asks questions; he does not teach the boy anything new.
P3) After the questioning the boys discovers a geometric truth.
P4) This truth was not derived from experience with socrates.
C) This truth must have existed in the boy (innately) to begin with.
Outline Locke's argument of the mind as a 'tabula rasa'. [3] - Answer A response to innatism:
P1) The theory of innate ideas claims that we are born with innate ideas.
P2) All our ideas are shown to be derived from experience (tabula Rasa)
C) The theory of innate ideas is redundant.
Outine Leibniz's argument from the necessity of truth [3] - Answer P1) The senses can only reveal
instances of general truths
P2) The senses cannot reveal the necessity of general truths.
P3) Our minds can see the necessity of some general truths.
C) Our ability to see the necessity of general truths is not derived from the senses, but is based on innate
principles.
Explain the Locke's argument of no universal assent (in response to innatism) [3] - Answer P1) Any
innate idea, x, if it exists would be universally held.
P2) Children and idiots do not have the idea of X
P3) If an idea is held in the mind then you must be aware of it.
C1) So x is not univerally held
C2) Therefore, x, is not innate.
What is indirect realism [3] - Answer Indirect Realism is a Realist theory of perception that claims that
the external world exists independently of the mind. The immediate objects of perception are caused by
and represent mind-independent objects which we perceive indirectly via sense-data.
, What is direct realism [3] - Answer Direct Realism is a realist theory of perception that claims that we
view the external world directly and independently of our minds. The way we perceive objects is how
they truly are. The immediate objects of perception are the physical objects themselves. They continue
to exist regardless of whether there is anyone there to perceive them or not.
What is idealism [3] - Answer Idealism is an anti-realist theory of perception.The immediate objects are
mind-dependent objects or ideas. These objects don't represent reality, they are reality. There are no
mind-independent objects. Everything that exists, exists in our minds.
What is reliabilism [3] - Answer Reliabilism claims that we should seek our knowledge through a
reliable source, for example the clock tower case, the clock tower is a reliable source but it fails it.
Explain Locke's distinction between primary and secondary qualities [5] - Answer Primary qualities:
Inherent and inseparable to the physical object, they will always be retained regardless of how small the
object is broken down. Primary qualities include: Size, motion, extension, solidity and shape. Primary
qualities are mind-independent and have special powers which create the secondary qualities in our
minds. Primary qualities are retained whether they are perceived or not. They are not related to the
perceiver.
Secondary qualities: Produced by the powers in the primary qualities of an object. These include: Smell,
colour, taste,sound ,feel and temperature. These are mind-dependent. Secondary qualities are 'nothing
but powers to produce various sensations in us'. Secondary qualities like colour only exist in relation to
being perceived by someone else.
Explain local scepticism [3] - Answer Scepticism about some specific claim, or area of supposed
knowledge. For instance, scepticism about the notion that the earth is spherical.
Explain global scepticism [3] - Answer Scepticism about all knowledge claims, particularly concerning
the existence and nature of anything outside of the mind.
Explain Mill's secondary principles [3] - Answer In Mill, 'rules of thumb' that, if followed, generally
produce happiness e.g. 'tell the truth'. Mill argues that we have learned secondary principles through
trial and error in human history.
