Believing in a Social World Lecture

Course Introduction

• Course Navigation:

  • Check the course reading list under 'Content'.
  • A document titled "How to Approach This Course" is available.
  • Important to know assignment deadlines.

• Course Material Approach:

  • Prioritize watching lecture videos.
  • Review lecture notes/slides (max 20 slides per week).
  • Read 1-3 pages of course readings weekly, more if possible.
  • Importance of staying current with course material.

Overview of Philosophy

• Philosophy Process:

  • Inquiry, questioning current beliefs, alternatives, analyzing, and creating arguments.
  • Awareness of starting assumptions.

• Previous Course Recap:

  • "Philosophy from the Inside Out" covered metaphysics.
  • Questions on nature of reality, existence, etc.

Epistemology Introduction

• Definition: Theories of knowledge, understanding of what knowledge is.
• Key Questions:
  • Can we know anything for sure?
  • Good methods for information gathering?
  • Mistakes in learning or gathering information?

Investigating Beliefs

• Beliefs Defined: True or false statements, justified or unjustified.
• Historical Context: Past beliefs may have been justified with limited information.

Types and Orders of Beliefs

• First Order Beliefs: Basic beliefs about the world (e.g., "It is raining").
• Second Order Beliefs: Beliefs about own beliefs (e.g., "I am sure it is going to rain").

Skepticism in Philosophy

• Skeptics Overview:

  • Descartes used skepticism as a tool for scientific knowledge.
  • Skeptics like Nick Bostrom question reality (e.g., Matrix hypothesis).

• First vs. Second Order Beliefs:

  • Skeptics question reliability of first order beliefs.
  • Closure principle: Evidence to support beliefs (see lecture slides).

Sexus Empiricus and Pyrrhonian Skepticism

• Radical Skepticism:
  • Animals perceive world differently (e.g., dog's hearing vs. human color perception).
  • Humans have varied perceptions and preferences (e.g., music taste).
• Inside Modes:
  • Disputability of beliefs; multiple arguments and biases.
  • Hypotheses can bias information gathering.

Critical Reflection

• Skepticism's Validity:

  • Many beliefs are wrong or unjustified.
  • Internet culture of over-certainty.

• Utility of Beliefs:

  • Beliefs may not be objectively certain but are useful.
  • Example: Driving relies on belief in physics and traffic laws.

Course Administration

• Reminder:

  • Check lecture notes, course schedule.
  • Instructions for Project 1 Part 1 forthcoming.
  • Possible future video on assignments.

• Closing Remarks:

  • Check deadlines, test dates.
  • Have a great weekend, take care.