Constructing Knowledge - Epistemology Activity

CONSTRUCTING KNOWLEDGE EXERCISE  APPLY THE EPISTEMOLOGICAL MODELS OF ONE RATIONALIST & ONE EMPIRICIST OF YOUR CHOOSING TO BETRAND RUSSELL’S TABLE  EXPLAIN HOW THE PHILOSOPHERS ARE IN DIALECTICAL TENSION WITH ONE OTHER PLATO ARISTOTLE DESCARTES LOCKE BERKELEY HUME KANT

I. What is each philosopher’s understanding of the primary source of knowledge? II. What is the relationship between reason and sense experience? III. What is the relationship between subject and object? IV. What problems or “aporias” arise about the existence of the external world? 1. 2. 3. V. How does each philosopher resolve these problems? How does each thinker incorporate God into his epistemological theory?

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WHAT ARE THE LIMITS OF YOUR KNOWLEDGE? Review your answers to “What is Your Philosophy of Life?” as well as your evaluation of what “Stage of Critical Thinking” you were at for each one, as well as the “qualities of a critical thinker” that you believed would help you improve your understanding on each issue. Choose one issue that expresses an area of intellectual development for you throughout the semester:

 How have your ideas on this issue changed?

 How can you evaluate whether or not you are espousing the best position possible?

 How can you distinguish appearance (opinion) and reality (informed position justified by truth)?

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CONSTRUCTING KNOWLEDGE EXERCISE  Assess the strengths of your current position.

 Assess the weaknesses of your beliefs in this area.

 How do you know the difference between strengths and weaknesses?

 What stage of critical thinking are you currently at on this issue? Explain.

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 Check each one of the boxes that applies to your relationship to this issue now! Did your intellectual development on this issue help you: Develop a thoughtful and well-reasoned philosophy of life Engage in Socratic analysis and emulate his personal and intellectual virtues Develop insight into the self Understand the nature of freedom Construct an enlightened ethical perspective Develop a thoughtful approach to religion Understand the nature of knowledge and truth and how to achieve them Develop a sophisticated and integrated view of reality Construct an informed perspective on political and social issues  Now imagine that you performed this activity on all six issues. Would this improve your life? Why or why not?

 What other issues can you think of that would benefit from a little dose of philosophical reflection?

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