Philosophy 322
Take-home Exam #2
Due 9am Monday, May 19
Submit electronically to both Renee and Ann
Answer three of the following questions, each answer should be approximately 600 words (please record the word count at the end of each answer). You may discuss the questions with other members of the class, but the actual writing of the answers is to be done alone, without any further consultation. Please print your answers, double-spaced, using reasonable margins and fonts.
Everyone must answer this question.
1. Explain Locke's conception of abstract ideas (7 points) and Berkeley's criticism of that view (7 points), considering an appropriate example or two. Then explain Berkeley's own positive account of how we are able to think in general terms (5 points). Evaluate Berkeley's positive account of how we are able to think in general terms (6 points).
Choose one Locke question from the following two questions.
2. Explain Locke's distinction between qualities and ideas using an example (4 points). Explain his distinction between primary and secondary qualities, again using examples (8 points). Locke says: "Take away the sensation of them; let not the eyes see light or colours, nor the ears hear sounds; let the palate not taste, not the nose smell, and all colours, tastes, odours, and sounds, as they are such particular ideas, vanish and cease, . . . ." (Book II, Chapter VIII, section 17) Explain what he means by this. Is he saying that secondary qualities are not real? Is he saying that only primary qualities are real? (8 points) Evaluate his view. (5 points)
3. Explain Locke's argument for the conclusion that our senses do not err. (use especially sections 3-7 on p. 364) (10 points) Explain the connection between that conclusion and the conclusion that we have knowledge of the external world. (8 points) Evaluate his view. (7 points)
Choose one Berkeley question from the following:
4. Berkeley offers several arguments intended to show that the Lockean conception of material objects is incoherent or self-contradictory. Explain two of these arguments (be sure to defend the premises) (5 points for each argument). Evaluate each argument (4 points for each evaluation). Explain Berkeley's alternative view of a sensible object (objects like tables and chairs). What, according to Berkeley, are sensible objects? Do they exist? Are they real? (7 points for the explanation of Berkeley's view)
5. What does it mean to be a skeptic about the sensible world? (4 points) Explain why Berkeley is not a skeptic about the sensible world. (4 points) Locke claims that the best explanation for our ideas is that they are caused by the physical world. Explain why Berkeley thinks that Locke is wrong about that. (6 points) Explain Berkeley's view about the cause of our ideas (6 points). Evaluate Berkeley's view about the cause of our ideas. (5 points)