Key Terms
the philosophical term for the approach of doubting or questioning the truthfulness or validity of claims, especially those lacking empirical evidence or sound reasoning?
Scepticism
the rejection of all religious and moral principles, in the belief that life is meaningless
Nihilism
What is the term for the philosophical stance that argues against skepticism by positing that some knowledge is certain and can be relied upon, even if not all knowledge can be completely certain?
Foundationalism
The view that some or all knowledge is impossible.
Philosophical scepticism
Ancient Greek philosopher known as father of scepticism
Pyrrho of Ellis
The term for the reasoning where one concludes that a claim is true or false based on a person making the claim, rather than the evidence or argument presented
Sceptical Fallacies
This principle, often attributed to William of Ockham, suggests that among competing hypotheses, the one with the fewest assumptions should be selected.
Occam's Razor
This argument indicates that our moral understanding can improve over time, which is shown by our societal advancements, like abolishing slavery,
Moral progress
This type of skepticism questions the existence of objective moral truths or principles, suggesting that moral judgments are subjective or culturally relative?
What is ethical/moral scepticism?
English philosopher, known for his social contract theory, also noted of skeptical views
Thomas Hobbes
A view that questions the possibility of knowledge in a particular area of study.
Local Scepticism
What sceptical theory claims that all moral statements are systematically mistaken because they attempt to describe a non-existent feature of the world?
Error Theory
his famous argument against skepticism, proposed by René Descartes, asserts that even if one doubts everything, the act of doubting itself implies the existence of a doubter, thereby providing a foundation for certain knowledge.
"Cogito ergo sum"
This type of skeptcism questions the reliability of our sensory perception.
Empirical skepticism
Scottish empiricist, famously questioned causation and the self
David Hume
The term describes the philosophical position that human knowledge is inherently uncertain and subject to revision in the face of new evidence or arguments?
Fallibilism
This term refers to the philosophical questioning of the reality of one’s own conception, doubting the existence of anything but one’s own mind.
Solipsism
based on G.E. Moore’s statement “I know I have two hands”.
the “Common Sense” argument
It demands rigorous evidence and analyzation, using empirical evidence as the basis for knowledge.
Scientific skepticism
German philosopher who aimed to address skepticism by distinguishing between phenomena and noumena
Immanuel Kant