Type: Discussion Board Unit:  What is Knowledge? Due Date:  Tue, 1/20/17 Deliverable Length: 4-5 paragraphs Assignment Details René Descartes is often called the "father of modern philosophy." Born into the French aristocracy in 1596, Descartes was fascinated by mathematics and founded the field of analytical geometry. He wanted to build a system of philosophy that was as clear and certain as mathematics. To do this, he decided that he would need to question all of his presuppositions about the world. One of the presuppositions that he doubted was whether or not he could believe that what he observed through his senses was true. Consider this passage from Descartes’ Meditations (Melchert, 2007): Of course, whatever I have so far accepted as supremely true I have learned either from the senses or through the senses. But I have occasionally caught the senses deceiving me, and it’s prudent never completely to trust those who have cheated us even once. But, while my senses may deceive me about what is small or far away, there may still be other things that I take in by the senses but that I cannot possibly doubt—like that I am here, sitting before the fire, wearing a dressing gown, touching this paper. And on what grounds might I deny that my hands and the other parts of my body exists?—unless perhaps I liken myself to madmen whose brains are so rattled by the persistent vapors of melancholy that they are sure that they’re kings when in fact they are paupers, or that they wear purple robes when in fact they’re naked, or that their heads are clay, or that they are gourds, or made of glass. Take a moment to reflect on this passage, and then discuss the following: Part 1 · Think of a time when your senses deceived you. Describe what you thought you saw, heard, or felt, and then explain how you came to realize that your initial perception was incorrect. · Do you think that it is reasonable to rely on your senses, considering that they have fooled you in the past? Part 2 · Consider Descartes’ comparison of himself to a madman. How do you know that what you experience is any more real than what a so-called madman experiences as real? · Who is to say which experience is valid, and on what grounds? · How does reason play into the evaluation of what is real? Reference Melchert, N. (2007). The great conversation: A historical introduction to philosophy. New York, NY: Oxford University. Type: Individual Project Unit:  What is Knowledge? Due Date:  Tue, 1/24/17 Deliverable Length: 3 pages There are certain big questions that philosophers have been puzzling over for centuries. Amazingly, many people ask these same questions in daily life. Reflect on these questions as related to each of the 6 branches of philosophy below. Write an APA-formatted essay of 3 pages explaining each of the 6 branches, describing a time in your life when you have asked similar questions. Discuss the specific circumstances that brought you to each question, and your conclusions. T ...

1. Type: Discussion Board
Unit: What is Knowledge?
Due Date: Tue, 1/20/17
Deliverable Length: 4-5 paragraphs
Assignment Details
René Descartes is often called the "father of modern
philosophy." Born into the French aristocracy in 1596,
Descartes was fascinated by mathematics and founded the field
of analytical geometry. He wanted to build a system of
philosophy that was as clear and certain as mathematics. To do
this, he decided that he would need to question all of his
presuppositions about the world. One of the presuppositions that
he doubted was whether or not he could believe that what he
observed through his senses was true. Consider this passage
from Descartes’ Meditations (Melchert, 2007):
Of course, whatever I have so far accepted as supremely true I
have learned either from the senses or through the senses. But I
have occasionally caught the senses deceiving me, and it’s
prudent never completely to trust those who have cheated us
even once. But, while my senses may deceive me about what is
small or far away, there may still be other things that I take in
by the senses but that I cannot possibly doubt—like that I am
here, sitting before the fire, wearing a dressing gown, touching
this paper. And on what grounds might I deny that my hands
and the other parts of my body exists?—unless perhaps I liken
myself to madmen whose brains are so rattled by the persistent
vapors of melancholy that they are sure that they’re kings when
in fact they are paupers, or that they wear purple robes when in
fact they’re naked, or that their heads are clay, or that they are
gourds, or made of glass.
Take a moment to reflect on this passage, and then discuss the
following:
Part 1

2. · Think of a time when your senses deceived you. Describe what
you thought you saw, heard, or felt, and then explain how you
came to realize that your initial perception was incorrect.
· Do you think that it is reasonable to rely on your senses,
considering that they have fooled you in the past?
Part 2
· Consider Descartes’ comparison of himself to a madman. How
do you know that what you experience is any more real than
what a so-called madman experiences as real?
· Who is to say which experience is valid, and on what grounds?
· How does reason play into the evaluation of what is real?
Reference
Melchert, N. (2007). The great conversation: A historical
introduction to philosophy. New York, NY: Oxford University.
Type: Individual Project
Unit: What is Knowledge?
Due Date: Tue, 1/24/17
Deliverable Length: 3 pages
There are certain big questions that philosophers have been
puzzling over for centuries. Amazingly, many people ask these
same questions in daily life. Reflect on these questions as
related to each of the 6 branches of philosophy below. Write an
APA-formatted essay of 3 pages explaining each of the 6
branches, describing a time in your life when you have asked
similar questions. Discuss the specific circumstances that
brought you to each question, and your conclusions.
The questions are as follows:
1. Metaphysics:
· What is real?
· Is the physical world more or less real than the spiritual or
psychological world?
· Is there such a thing as a soul? If so, how does it survive
outside of a physical body?
· Do all people have free will, or are their lives determined by

3. fate?
2. Epistemology:
· How is anything known?
· What is the basis for knowledge? Is it innate reason,
experience, or something else?
· Is all knowledge subjective, or are there some universal
truths?
· What is the relationship between faith and reason?
· What can artificial intelligence teach people about knowledge?
· What are the limits of human understanding?
3. Ethics:
· What is the right thing to do?
· What does it mean to be a “good person”?
· Does virtue lead to happiness?
· Do the ends justify the means, or is a virtuous action virtuous
in and of itself?
· How does living in a society affect morality?
· Is morality culturally based or individually based, or is there a
universal morality?
4. Aesthetics:
· What is beautiful?
· Is beauty truly in the eye of the beholder, or are there some
things that all cultures find beautiful?
· What is the purpose of art?
· How can a piece of art be successful or valuable? Does beauty
matter?
5. Political philosophy:
· What is the best kind of government?
· How much power should the government have?
· What kind of people should be in power?
· How involved should the common citizen be in government?
6. Social philosophy:
· How should humans behave in a society?
· Do people give up certain rights when they choose to live in a
society?
· How do social values affect individual beliefs? Do people

4. behave differently in a crowd than they would individually?
· How does society affect language and other types of
communication?
Grading Rubric:
Content
Demonstrate in an APA-formatted essay of 3Ó4 pages that
adheres to the assignment requirements for responding to the
explanations of the 6 philosophical terms and question
guidelines. Submission should present an identification of the 6
different fields of philosophical inquiry listed that reflect varied
cultural aspects, rooted in social and historical perspectives.
45%
Critical Thinking
Demonstrate critical thinking in presenting an exploration of the
philosophical terms. Each term should be explained in a well-
developed paragraph to present interpretations, perspectives,
and conclusions based on cultural and personal experiences in
context to the actual meaning of the philosophical terms.
Supporting evidence should be followed by APA in-text
citations.
35%
Grammar Mechanics
Demonstrate effective written communication skills, correct
grammar, and mechanics.
15%
APA
The essay should display proper documentation in the APA
format style.
5%