Category: Epistemology

Dutch Book Arguments

A mural of Dutch books on a building in Utrecht, Netherlands.
~ 1000-Word Philosophy: An Introductory Anthology ~ 4 Comments

Author: Daniel Peterson Categories: Epistemology, Philosophy of Science, Logic and Reasoning Word Count: 1000 Philosophers looking to support a position about how certain we ought to be of some belief, given our other beliefs, sometimes take advantage of Dutch book arguments. These arguments show that alternative positions lead to accepting a series of bets, each … Continue reading Dutch Book Arguments

“I think, therefore I am”: Descartes on the Foundations of Knowledge

"The Matrix" film
~ 1000-Word Philosophy: An Introductory Anthology ~ 17 Comments

Author: Charles Miceli Category: Historical Philosophy, Epistemology Word Count: 994 Listen here  If you are reading this, then you are probably looking at a screen or a piece of paper. Think to yourself: “I have some paper in my hand,” “I am in front of a computer” or whatever fits. Is your belief here certain? … Continue reading “I think, therefore I am”: Descartes on the Foundations of Knowledge

Interpretations of Probability

"So you're telling me there's a chance?" From Dumb and Dumber
~ 1000-Word Philosophy: An Introductory Anthology ~ 15 Comments

Author: Thomas Metcalf Categories: Epistemology, Philosophy of Science, Logic and Reasoning Word count: 996 Consider this exchange from the 1994 American film Dumb and Dumber: Lloyd: What do you think the chances are of a guy like you and a girl like me ending up together? … Mary: Not good. Lloyd: You mean, not good like … Continue reading Interpretations of Probability