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Study Guide Lesson 12
Philosophy and Contemporary Ideas (Liberty
University)
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PHIL 201
STUDY GUIDE: LESSON 12
Skepticism and Certainty
Lesson Overview
Throughout the history of western society, people have been on a search for certain knowledge
about things. Many philosophers have given up hope for finding certainty and therefore, have
taken the view that one can never really claim to know anything. This view is called skepticism
and it comes in many shapes and varieties. Yet the question may be asked, “Is certainty necessary
for knowledge?” Can we say we “know,” yet be less than absolutely certain? This lesson
examines the polar opposite views of skepticism and certainty, and attempts to answer the
question of where does knowledge fit in this scheme.
Tasks
View and take notes of the presentation, “The Challenge of Skepticism.”
•Much of this is repeated in the reading, but note the list of problems with
skepticism on the last slide, especially the question “Is certainty necessary for
knowledge?”
1. Impractical: no one can really live this way
2. Self defeating nature of skeptical claims
3. Infinite regress of knowledge claims is dubious
4. Is certainty necessary for knowledge?
- Goal: Defeasibility- in the absence of defeaters or the absence of likelihood of
defeaters, I am justified in saying I know
- It is not good enough to assert that it is possible I am wrong- you need to provide
reasons for why I should believe I am wrong
- Epistemic humility: I need to recognize the limitations of my cognitive abilities.
In How Do We Know? (2nd ed.), read ch. 11, “How Certain Can We Be?” As you do, make sure
you understand the following points and questions:
•Why is common sense skepticism actually epistemically healthy?
- Common-sense skepticism is a natural and healthy form of skepticism that most of
us employ on a daily basis. In this version, skeptics question claims that are rightly
questionable—like a corrupt politician’s promises—but do not subject normal beliefs
or common-sense beliefs to continual doubt. In other words, they do not question
everyday occurrences, events, or basic ideas that are obviously true. Insurance agent,
car salesman
•Explain the difference between a global and local skeptic.
•Contrast and compare the different forms of skepticisms.
•What kind of skeptic was Pyhrro of Ellis?
•Why did Sextus Empiricus adopt skepticism?
•How did Descartes employ skepticism to arrive at certain knowledge?
•Explain Descartes’ evil demon hypothesis.
•What kind of skeptic was Hume?
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PHIL 201
•Explain the process by which Hume denied the principle of causality.
•What did Kant’s skepticism cause him to deny that we could know on the basis of
pure reason?
•On what basis did Kant believe we were justified in believing in God?
•Explain 3 causes of skepticism.
•What is 1 benefit of philosophical skepticism?
•Explain 4 problems with skepticism.
•What are some reasons why certainty is so elusive?
•Is certainty necessary for knowledge?
•What causes the different variations of certainty?
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Pyhrronian Skepticism
Systematic Doubt
Principle of Causality
Epistemic Humility
Logical/Absolute Certainty
Probabilistic Certainty
Sufficient Certainty
Defeasibility
Skepticism
Common Sense Skepticism
Global Skepticism
Local Skepticism
Mitigated Skepticism
Unmitigated Skepticism
Methodological Skepticism
Metaphysical Skepticism
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PHIL 201
Terms
Make sure you can explain the following terms and concepts:
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