Essay Due Sunday

Averion

Ronald Averion

Professor Mark Kelley

PHIL101

March 29, 2015

Thesis Statement:

In this paper, I will evaluate the following philosophical puzzle: If a tree falls in the forest and there's no one around to hear it, does it make a sound? Through my evaluation I will demonstrate that this question raises an epistemological problem of the relationship between a subjective experience, such a sound and the reality. I will illustrate that the above question is a puzzle since it depicts that limits of what individuals perceive to be real based on the sensory experience. In addition, I will exemplify how an empiricist, John Locke would evaluate and answer the above puzzle.

Annotated Bibliography

Locke, John. An Essay Concerning Human Understanding. Kitchener, Ont.: Batoche,

2001. Ebrary. 2005. 27 Mar. 2015.

This source presents Locke’s major empirical essay that details Locke’s perception of the problem of knowledge, sensation and experience. This is a primary resource which will provide me with the explanations and evidence required for my philosophical essay assignment.

Kemerling, Garth. John Locke: The Origin of Ideas. Philosophy Pages. Britannica

Internet. 2001. Web. 27 Mar. 2015. http://www.philosophypages.com/hy/4l.htm

This source gives a quick introduction of Locke and his philosophical viewpoints and provides main ideas in his work about human understanding. In addition, it will assist in gaining an understanding of complex concepts of Locke’s epistemology in writing my essay assignment.

McCormick, Matthew. "Immanuel Kant: Metaphysics." Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy.

Sacramento, CA: 2001. <http://www.iep.utm.edu/kantmeta/>

This is an encyclopedia source which presents Immanuel Kant perception of existence of something. This source will help me in comparing his work with those of other philosophers in understanding the concept of existence of something.

Skirry, Justin. "René Descartes (1596—1650): Overview." Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy.

2008. <http://www.iep.utm.edu/descarte/>

This is an internet encyclopedia source which presents Rene Descartes thoughts about human existence. This source will assist me with illustrations and proofs concerning my essay assignment.

Cohen, S. Marc. "Aristotle's metaphysics." Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy.  Internet .2010.

Web. 27 Mar. 2015. http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/aristotle-metaphysics/

This is an encyclopedia of philosophy about Aristotle’s work about the existence of a substance and perception. This source will provide me with philosophical concerning Aristotle perception of the existence of a substance.