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Epistemic Reliability: The Problem of Causation

Description: Epistemic Reliability: The Problem of Causation
Number of Questions: 15
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Tags: epistemology causation reliability
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What is the central problem of epistemic reliability?

  1. The problem of induction

  2. The problem of demarcation

  3. The problem of causation

  4. The problem of skepticism


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

The problem of epistemic reliability is the problem of how to justify our beliefs in the face of the fact that our beliefs are often caused by factors that are not reliable.

What is the difference between a reliable and an unreliable cause of belief?

  1. A reliable cause of belief is one that is likely to produce true beliefs, while an unreliable cause of belief is one that is likely to produce false beliefs.

  2. A reliable cause of belief is one that is based on evidence, while an unreliable cause of belief is one that is based on guesswork.

  3. A reliable cause of belief is one that is caused by a rational process, while an unreliable cause of belief is one that is caused by an irrational process.

  4. A reliable cause of belief is one that is caused by a conscious process, while an unreliable cause of belief is one that is caused by an unconscious process.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The key difference between a reliable and an unreliable cause of belief is the likelihood that the belief will be true. A reliable cause of belief is one that is likely to produce true beliefs, while an unreliable cause of belief is one that is likely to produce false beliefs.

What are some examples of reliable causes of belief?

  1. Sense perception

  2. Memory

  3. Reason

  4. Testimony


Correct Option:
Explanation:

There are many different kinds of reliable causes of belief, including sense perception, memory, reason, and testimony. These are all ways of acquiring information about the world that are generally reliable, although they can sometimes be mistaken.

What are some examples of unreliable causes of belief?

  1. Wishful thinking

  2. Confirmation bias

  3. Groupthink

  4. Propaganda


Correct Option:
Explanation:

There are also many different kinds of unreliable causes of belief, including wishful thinking, confirmation bias, groupthink, and propaganda. These are all ways of acquiring information about the world that are often mistaken.

How can we tell whether a cause of belief is reliable or unreliable?

  1. By examining the evidence for and against the belief

  2. By considering the source of the belief

  3. By considering the context in which the belief was acquired

  4. All of the above


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

There is no one surefire way to tell whether a cause of belief is reliable or unreliable. However, we can often make a good guess by examining the evidence for and against the belief, considering the source of the belief, and considering the context in which the belief was acquired.

What is the problem of induction?

  1. The problem of how we can justify our beliefs in the face of the fact that our beliefs are often caused by factors that are not reliable.

  2. The problem of how we can know that our beliefs are true.

  3. The problem of how we can distinguish between true and false beliefs.

  4. The problem of how we can acquire new beliefs.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The problem of induction is the problem of how we can justify our beliefs in the face of the fact that our beliefs are often caused by factors that are not reliable. This problem is closely related to the problem of epistemic reliability, but it focuses specifically on the problem of justifying our beliefs in the face of the fact that they are often caused by induction.

What is the difference between a belief and a justified belief?

  1. A belief is a proposition that is held to be true, while a justified belief is a proposition that is supported by evidence.

  2. A belief is a proposition that is held to be true, while a justified belief is a proposition that is held to be true for good reasons.

  3. A belief is a proposition that is held to be true, while a justified belief is a proposition that is held to be true with a high degree of certainty.

  4. A belief is a proposition that is held to be true, while a justified belief is a proposition that is held to be true by a rational person.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The key difference between a belief and a justified belief is that a justified belief is supported by evidence. A belief is simply a proposition that is held to be true, while a justified belief is a proposition that is held to be true for good reasons.

What is the difference between a true belief and a justified belief?

  1. A true belief is a belief that corresponds to reality, while a justified belief is a belief that is supported by evidence.

  2. A true belief is a belief that is held to be true, while a justified belief is a belief that is held to be true for good reasons.

  3. A true belief is a belief that is held to be true with a high degree of certainty, while a justified belief is a belief that is held to be true by a rational person.

  4. A true belief is a belief that is held to be true by a majority of people, while a justified belief is a belief that is held to be true by a minority of people.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The key difference between a true belief and a justified belief is that a true belief corresponds to reality, while a justified belief is supported by evidence. A true belief is a belief that is accurate, while a justified belief is a belief that is reasonable.

Is it possible to have a true belief that is not justified?

  1. Yes

  2. No


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

It is possible to have a true belief that is not justified. For example, you might believe that it is going to rain tomorrow because you saw a dark cloud in the sky. This belief is true if it does rain tomorrow, but it is not justified because you do not have any other evidence to support it.

Is it possible to have a justified belief that is not true?

  1. Yes

  2. No


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

It is possible to have a justified belief that is not true. For example, you might believe that your friend is going to pass their exam because they studied hard. This belief is justified because you have evidence to support it (your friend's hard work), but it is not true if your friend does not pass their exam.

What is the Gettier problem?

  1. The problem of how we can know that our beliefs are true.

  2. The problem of how we can distinguish between true and false beliefs.

  3. The problem of how we can acquire new beliefs.

  4. The problem of how we can justify our beliefs in the face of the fact that they are often caused by factors that are not reliable.


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

The Gettier problem is the problem of how we can justify our beliefs in the face of the fact that they are often caused by factors that are not reliable. This problem is similar to the problem of induction, but it focuses specifically on the problem of justifying our beliefs in the face of the fact that they are often caused by Gettier cases.

What is a Gettier case?

  1. A case in which someone has a true belief that is not justified.

  2. A case in which someone has a justified belief that is not true.

  3. A case in which someone has a true belief that is caused by a reliable factor.

  4. A case in which someone has a justified belief that is caused by an unreliable factor.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

A Gettier case is a case in which someone has a true belief that is not justified. This means that the person has a belief that is accurate, but they do not have any good reasons for holding that belief.

What are some examples of Gettier cases?

  1. The case of the barn and the fire

  2. The case of the two envelopes

  3. The case of the lottery ticket

  4. All of the above


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

There are many different examples of Gettier cases. Some of the most famous examples include the case of the barn and the fire, the case of the two envelopes, and the case of the lottery ticket.

What are some possible solutions to the Gettier problem?

  1. Defeasibility theory

  2. Reliability theory

  3. No-ownership theory

  4. All of the above


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

There are many different possible solutions to the Gettier problem. Some of the most common solutions include defeasibility theory, reliability theory, and no-ownership theory.

Which of the following is not a reliable source of information?

  1. Scientific studies

  2. Newspapers

  3. Eyewitness testimony

  4. Government reports


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

Eyewitness testimony is not a reliable source of information because it is often inaccurate. Eyewitnesses can be mistaken about what they saw, and they can also be influenced by their own biases.

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