How is this philosophical      puzzle an epistemological problem?

According to Locke, Who should Govern?
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August 13, 2019

How is this philosophical      puzzle an epistemological problem?

Question Description

1.
Philosophical Essay–
You will write a two-part 6- 8-page essay using our Library Guide for PHIL101 and our
Online Library to answer one of the following questions:

  • Consider the following
    philosophical puzzle: “If a tree falls in the forest and there’s no one
    around to hear it, does it make a sound?” (1) How is this philosophical
    puzzle an epistemological problem? And (2) how would John Locke answer it?
  • Evaluate the movie, The
    Matrix, in terms of the philosophical issues raised with (1) skepticism
    and (2) the mind-body problem. Explain how the movie raises questions
    similar to those found in Plato’s and Descartes’ philosophy. Do not give a
    plot summary of the movie – focus on the philosophical issues raised in
    the movie as they relate to Plato and Descartes.
  • Socrates asks Euthyphro, “Are
    morally good acts willed by God because they are morally good, or are they
    morally good because they are willed by God?” (1) How does this question
    relate to the Divine Command Theory of morality? (2) What are the
    philosophical implications associated with each option here?
  • Summarize the problem of evil
    and critically evaluate how it is said to undermine the traditional
    characteristics of God.
  • Explain (1) the process by
    which Descartes uses skepticism to refute skepticism, and (2) what first
    principle does this lead him to? (3) Explain why this project was
    important for Descartes to accomplish.

Part 1: At the end of week four you
will turn in (1) a clearly articulated thesis statement, and (2) a selected
list of appropriate sources using our Library Guide for PHIL101 and our
Online Library, as indicated below:

 

1.
Identify
at least one encyclopedia, or similar work, providing a big picture overview of
key issues your topic needs to address.

 

2.  Identify at least one secondary
source, an interpretive work, addressing your topic which was written by
someone other than the philosophers identified in your topic.

 

3.  Identify at least one primary
source, from a major philosopher identified in your topic choice. Be sure that
the primary source selected pertains to the issues raised by your topic.

 

4.  Identify at least one journal
article database, available in the APUS Online Library, where contemporary
philosophical articles pertaining to your topic, can be located.

 

Explain briefly how the content of
each source will assist you with your Philosophical Essay Assignment. Provide a
complete reference in MLA style for each work, 1-3, selected.

–
Continue to next page for an example of what is due at week four –

 

 

The following is an
example (do not copy and use) of what is due at week four:

Thesis Statement:

In this essay I evaluate the
philosophical puzzle: “If a tree falls in the forest and there’s no one
around to hear it, does it make a sound?” In my evaluation I explain that
this question raises the epistemological problem of how a subjective
experience, such as sound, relates to what can be known of reality. I
demonstrate that this question is a puzzle because it exposes the limits of
what we can claim to know based on sensory experience. Lastly, I will explain
how the empiricist, John Locke, would evaluate and answer the puzzle.

Resources:

1.
Encyclopedia or similar comprehensive works:

Kemerling, Garth. “John Locke: The Origin of
Ideas.”  Philosophy Pages. Britannica
Internet.2001. Web. 1 Mar. 2009.

http://www.philosophypages.com/hy/4l.htm

This source is a quick introduction to Locke and
his philosophical perspective and introduces the main themes in his work, An Essay Concerning Human Understanding.
It will also help me understand the more complicated aspects of Locke’s
epistemology that I’ll be reading to write my essay.

Uzgalis, William. “John Locke: The Limits of Human
Understanding.” Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. 2007. Web. 1 Mar. 2009.

http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/locke/#LimHumUnd/

This source presents a much more detailed analysis
of Locke’s epistemology from his work, An
Essay Concerning Human Understanding.

2.
Secondary sources:

E.J. Lowe. Routledge Philosophy Guide Book on
Locke: On Human Understanding. New
York, NY : Routledge, 1995. NetLibrary. 2002. 1 Mar. 2009

http://www.netlibrary.com.ezproxy1.apus.edu/urlapi.asp?action=summary&v=1&bookid=73470

This source provides me with a comprehensive
discussion of John Locke, the person, and the arguments he puts forth in An Essay Concerning Human Understanding.
It will also help me understand the book as it relates to historical events
and ideas. Additionally, it identifies arguments from the work’s supporters
and critics.

3.
Primary sources:

Locke, John.
An Essay Concerning Human
Understanding. Kitchener, Ont.: Batoche, 2001. Ebrary. 2005. 4 Oct. 2010.

http://site.ebrary.com.ezproxy1.apus.edu/lib/apus/Doc?id=2001993

This is Locke’s own writing which allows me to
read how Lock perceived the problem of knowledge, experience and sensation in
his own words.

4.
Journal article database:

EBSCO’s Academic Search Elite

This is a searchable database of scholarly
articles from many academic disciplines, including philosophy. I can use it
to find contemporary scholarly articles pertaining to epistemology, perception,
and Locke.  It also contains the full
text of many of the articles.
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