philosophy

PH101

Summer Semester 2021

Final Examination

Please answer one question in each of the two sets (so two questions in total). There is no extra credit for answering more than two questions.

Remember the point of the exam: the point is for you to show that you have understood the relevant concepts, can explain them and think critically about them. Hence you should carefully explain and introduce all philosophical concepts and spend time not only on the exposition but also on the critical analysis that each of the questions below asks you to carry out.

SET 1

EITHER

1. Epiphenomenalism argues that consciousness emerges when the brain reaches a certain level of complexity. By contrast, Koch defends the idea that consciousness is a basic, irreducible property of systems that display a particular kind of complexity. Explain the difference between these two views and discuss whether the latter has an advantage over the former when it comes to answering the ‘hard problem’ of consciousness.

OR

2. Consider the debate between compatibilists and libertarians about the nature of human freedom. Does choosing either side here commit you to a particular view about the nature of the mind? Can philosophy of mind help with the problem of freedom? Explain and discuss.

-pto-

SET 2

EITHER

1. To know a proposition requires, on Ayer’s view, that you have to have good evidence for the proposition. But even well-supported propositions may turn out to be false. So it can seem as if, strictly speaking, we could know only very little. Explain this conclusion and discuss it in the light of relevant course material.

OR

3. Singer argues that:

‘If it is in our power to prevent something bad from happening, without thereby sacrificing anything of comparable moral importance, we ought, morally, to do it.’

Could a deontologist agree with this claim? Explain and discuss.

GOOD LUCK!!!