PHIL 12 Lecture Notes - Lecture 2: Wishful Thinking, Personal Identity, Statistical Syllogism
Document Summary
Phil 12 lecture 2 introduction to argument. Take scientifically justified belief to be paradigm of rational/reasonable belief: understanding what reasoning goes on in science tells something deep about culture. Science says it"s the case, so it is: ex: giving up smoking because it will lead to lung cancer. Science critical for individual decision-making: think about why we trust certain claims and not others as grounds for action. Science is amazing: want to understand how scientists managed to change the world. We take scientific belief to be the paradigm of rational/reasonable belief. What makes any belief reasonable: when it is held for good reasons. Held on account of evidence that supports its truthfulness. Can provide an argument about why the claim should be believed. Many beliefs not held for good reasons, or any reasons at all. We are more likely to believe things if: we"ve been told. Ex: fake news: we"ve been told over and over again.
