Part 1 – Explanations
Answer each question in one or two paragraphs. Each answer should be approximately one double-spaced page (300 words by computer word count). Answer all three questions.
1. William James maintains that there are cases “where faith in a fact can help create the fact.” In your own words, explain what he means by this. What is the point’s relevance to the justification of religious faith?
2. In your own words, explain John Locke’s distinction between primary and secondary qualities. In what way does Locke’s handling of this distinction raise an epistemological problem regarding appearance and reality?
3. In your own words, describe Descartes’ example of the piece of wax and explain what the example is designed to show.
Part 2 – Essay Question
Write a brief essay on the following topic. Your essay should be approximately 2 double-spaced pages–600 words (650 max.) by computer word count.
Berkeley maintains that the materialist’s belief in mind-independent material objects ultimately leads to skepticism, whereas his own idealist view does not. Describe one line of argument that Berkeley employs in order to support this assessment of materialism. Then, critically evaluate Berkeley’s reasoning. Would a thoughtful materialist be able to resist Berkeley’s equation of materialism with skepticism, or does the threat of skepticism force us to side with Berkeley’s idealism instead? Argue for your position.
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