Chapter 07 Self Quiz

. David Hume (1711-1776) challenged us to justify our assumption that

objects exist.

mathematics is an a priori science.

empirical science is an a posteriori science.

what's happened in the past will keep on happening.

. Hume pointed out that there are certain exceptional cases in which predictions can be made without induction. For example, I predict

someone will win, unless nobody wins.

the sun will rise tomorrow.

water is wet.

Sam has ten fingers.

. The Principle of Uniformity of Nature refers to the fact that

all objects behave according to uniform, natural laws.

most objects behave according to uniform, natural laws.

objects observed in the future will typically conform to patterns observed in the past.

objects observed in the future will always conform to patterns observed in the past.

. Hume argued that one cannot show a prediction to be correct, or even to be probably correct, using induction because induction depends on

the principle of uniformity of nature, which itself depends upon induction.

having data that are sufficiently numerous, which are impossible to acquire.

having data that are sufficiently varied, which are impossible to acquire.

None of the above (Only a priori reasoning has any validity.)

. Based on his skepticism regarding inductive reasoning, Hume advised us to

give up on inductive reasoning.

put all scientific efforts into solving the problem of induction.

use only a priori modes of reasoning.

continue using inductive reasoning, while acknowledging that there is no rational justification for it.

. Popper argued that it was crucial for scientists to maintain a "critical attitude" whereby they would

be critical regarding all human knowledge.

be critical of all scientific theories.

actively search for refutations of the prevailing theories.

All of the above

. Peter Strawson (1919-2006) responded to Hume's challenge to justify inductive reasoning by arguing that

induction is not, in fact, used in good scientific research.

induction is only one aspect of good scientific research.

all scientific research proceeds from a priori reasoning.

we have a shared conception of what constitutes a "reasonable" inference and that to say an inference is "reasonable" is just to say it meets those shared standards.

. Even if it is meaningless to ask whether inductive arguments are reasonable, Hume can respond to Strawson by instead asking whether inductive arguments are

reliable.

justified.

coherent.

intelligible.

. Epistemically basic beliefs are beliefs that

act as premises in scientific reasoning

are warranted without argument.

stand at the base of all thinking.

All of the above

. One of the major difficulties regarding epistemically basic beliefs is determining

precisely which beliefs are basic.

what exactly it means for a belief to be basic.

which areas of knowledge make use of basic beliefs.

how basic beliefs are related to nonbasic beliefs.

. Which of the following did G. E. Moore (1873-1958) argue is a basic belief?

The existence of God

Anything that begins to exist must have a cause that produced it

Consequentialism

Induction

. The following is an example of a(n) __________ argument.
Premise 1: The front door is ajar.
Premise 2: Some of your valuables are missing.
Premise 3: Your draws have been opened, and their contents strewn about.
Premise 4: One of your windows has been broken.
Conclusion: You have been burgled.

inductive

abductive

deductive

fallacious

. Epistemically basic beliefs are also called

foundational beliefs.

self-evident truths.

axioms.

All of the above