Topics for Third Paper
Write a 2-3 page paper on one of the following topics:
1. Present Nozick’s Truth-Tracking Theory of Knowledge (Feldman, pg. 87-91). What are the advantages of Nozick’s theory over the Causal Theory? Explain Kripke’s objection to the Tracking Theory (the one having to do with “absurd distinctions”). Is there any way of defending the theory against this objection?
2. Formulate Goldman’s version of Reliabilism (Feldman, pg. 90-99). Make sure to explain all the technical terms that figure in the definition. Use examples (more than one!) to illustrate the theory. Present the Brain in a Vat Objection to Reliabilism. Come up with at least one Reliabilist response to this objection.
3. Reconstruct (as best as you can) Descartes’ Dreaming Argument for Skepticism (from Meditation I). Drawing on Stroud’s discussion in “The Problem of the External World” (pg. 14-16), evaluate the “straightforward” response to the argument, on which we can sometimes know that we are not dreaming.
4. Present Moore’s Proof of an External World. How does it constitute a defense against Skepticism? Do you find the proof convincing? Why (or why not)? How would a Skeptic respond to this proof?