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Knowledge and Doubt
Quick questions on Evaluating rationalism and empiricism - SQA Higher Philosophy Knowledge and Doubt
4short Q&A pairs drawn directly from our worked dot-point answer. For full context and worked exam questions, read the parent dot-point page.
What are strengths?Show answer
The cogito is a real achievement: it is genuinely indubitable, since doubting it confirms it, so Descartes secures at least one certainty against even the evil demon. The demand for clear and distinct ideas is a serious standard, and rationalism explains how we can have a priori knowledge, such as mathematics and logical truths, that experience alone seems unable to deliver.
What are weaknesses?Show answer
The trouble comes after the cogito. To rebuild knowledge of the external world, Descartes argues that a non-deceiving God guarantees our clear and distinct ideas. This invites the Cartesian circle objection:
What is q1?Show answer
State one strength and one weakness of Hume's empiricism. [2 marks]
What is q2?Show answer
What is the Cartesian circle objection to Descartes? [2 marks]
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