HPS100H1- Midterm Exam Guide - Comprehensive Notes for the exam ( 29 pages long!)
5 Oct 2017
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The truth of synthetic propositions depends on the structure of the universe we inhabit. Key point to note: synthetic propositions can be confirmed by experience and observation but. Why synthetic propositions can"t be absolutely true: Possibility of a disconnection) between reality and perception. How can we arrive at a general conclusion if experience provides us only singular propositions. (e. g. we see a swan that"s white. How do we know that there isn"t a black swan somewhere. Generalizations are fallible (capable of making mistakes). The point is, our experiences are limited. Your vision requires trusting things like having good lighting, you"re not under the influence of. Our observations rely on or are laden with theories. Infallibilism: synthetic propositions can be infallible, i. e. incapable of making mistakes. For most part of the history of knowledge, since antiquity and up until the early 20th century, While all theories in empirical science are fallible, we still believe that some theories are better.
