Knowledge and Doubt: overview of SQA Higher Philosophy epistemology

Knowledge and Doubt is the epistemology area of SQA Higher Philosophy. It asks the oldest question in the subject: what is knowledge, and can we really have it? The area sets up a sceptical problem and then examines two rival answers, Descartes' rationalism and Hume's empiricism. This page maps it and how to master it.

What the area covers

The course specification frames Knowledge and Doubt around the nature, sources and limits of knowledge, examined through set positions. Four clusters of content recur, each with its own answer page.

The problem of knowledge and scepticism

Knowledge versus belief, the justified true belief account, the sources of knowledge, and the sceptical challenge.

Rationalism (Descartes)

The method of doubt, the three waves of doubt, the cogito, and the claim that reason is the foundation of knowledge.

Empiricism (Hume)

Impressions and ideas, the copy principle, Hume's fork, and his sceptical conclusions about causation and the self.

Evaluating the theories

The strengths and weaknesses of rationalism and empiricism, the key objections, and a comparative judgement.

How the area is assessed

Knowledge and Doubt is examined in the question papers through questions that ask you to explain the positions (the method of doubt, the copy principle, Hume's fork) and, for the higher marks, to evaluate them (does the cogito answer scepticism, how do rationalism and empiricism compare). The same Arguments in Action skills apply: you analyse the philosophers' arguments and assess them by acceptability, relevance and sufficiency, and you reach supported judgements rather than merely reporting views.

How to study Knowledge and Doubt

1. Pin down the vocabulary. Knowledge, belief, justified true belief, a priori, a posteriori, scepticism, rationalism, empiricism; precise use earns marks.
2. Learn Descartes' route. The method of doubt, the three waves in order, and why the cogito survives.
3. Learn Hume's apparatus. Impressions versus ideas, the copy principle, the two branches of the fork, and the conclusions on causation and the self.
4. Practise evaluation. Rehearse strengths, weaknesses and objections (the Cartesian circle, the limits of the copy principle) and a comparative judgement.
5. Use SQA past papers. They show the command words and the wording the marking instructions reward.

For the official course specification

The SQA (now Qualifications Scotland) publishes the full Higher Philosophy course specification, specimen question papers and past papers at sqa.org.uk. Always revise from the current specification and SQA past papers, because the question style and terminology are board-specific.