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All 8 Flashcards — Reasoning and self-knowledge
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Question
Deductive reasoning?
Answer
Reasoning from a general rule to a particular case; if the premises are true, the conclusion must be true (certain).
Question
Inductive reasoning?
Answer
Reasoning from many cases to a general rule; the premises make the conclusion likely, never certain.
Question
A deduction example?
Answer
'All humans are mortal; Socrates is human; so Socrates is mortal' — the conclusion is guaranteed.
Question
An induction example?
Answer
'The sun has risen every day so far, so it will rise tomorrow' — likely, but not certain.
Question
Hume's problem of induction?
Answer
Induction assumes the future will resemble the past, but proving that would itself use induction — a circle.
Question
Hume's deeper point (Go further)?
Answer
Induction can't be proven yet we can't live without it — so world-knowledge is reasonable belief, not certainty.
Question
Is self-knowledge specially certain?
Answer
You can't easily be wrong about how you FEEL, but understanding your own motives and character is often hard-won.
Question
How does Section B differ from Section A?
Answer
Section B is a stimulus-free essay on an optional theme; you argue the question, weigh views and conclude.
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Topic 3.1 hub
Nature of knowledge
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