Examination for PH29A — Epistemology and Methodology

Duration: 2 Hours

INSTRUCTIONS TO CANDIDATES: This paper has 1 page and 8 questions.

Give reasoned answers to two questions.

1. Nozick says we do not know that we are not brains in a vat. If so, can he claim that we know anything at all?
2. Explain what is happening in Gettier cases. Do they show that it is just a matter of luck that any of our claims to know something are true?
3. Why might it be important to distinguish Fred's knowing that p from Fred's honestly claiming to know that p?
4. Did Hume show that induction is irrational?
5. "Quine's holism requires a quite unrealistic notion of epistemic support." Discuss with reference to his position in 'Two Dogmas of Empiricism'.
6. Is there a useful conception of scientific methodology shared across disciplines and historical epochs?
7. Does Hume's argument about the testimony for a miracle show that we could never rationally accept such an account?
8. Would finding a white shoe ever give you reason to think that all ravens are black?