Critical Thinking in Philosophy
Question 1
(You should answer all parts, (
a–i
), of this question.)
Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow.
There is nothing beneficial about banning animal experimentation. This would
only deprive the seriously ill of medical advances. Moreover, the only regime to
support a ban on animal experiments was Nazi Germany. Don’t you realise that
what you are saying makes you no better than them?
(
a
) Identify a premise and a conclusion in the above argument.
(
b
) What is a “hidden” premise and why are they often “hidden”?
(
c
) Suggest
two
possible hidden premises assumed by this argument.
(
d
) What is a fallacy? Give an example of your own to support your answer.
(
e
) Is a fallacy being committed in the above passage? Give reasons for your
answer.
(
f
) Is every appeal to authority a fallacy? Give a reason for your answer.
(
g
) State whether the following claims about sound arguments are true or false.
(i) A sound argument can have a false conclusion.
(ii) A sound argument can have a false premise.
(iii) An unsound argument can be valid.
(iv) An unsound argument can have true premises and a true conclusion.
(
h
) Is it possible for a circular argument to be sound? Explain your answer.
(
i
) What are the limitations of inductive arguments?
Page two
Marks Code
2KU
2KU
2AE
2KU
2AE
2AE
4KU
2AE
2AE
(20)
[X237/301]
Page three
Section 2 – Metaphysics
Either
Question 2
(You should only answer this question if you have studied the debate “
Is there a
rational basis for belief in God?
” If not, go to Question 3.)
How successful is the cosmological argument in proving the existence of God?
Or
Question 3
(You should only answer this question if you have studied the debate “
Do we
have free will?
”)
Is Compatibilism a successful response to the problems raised by the theory of
determinism?
Marks Code
10 KU
10 AE
(20)
10 KU
10 AE
(20)
[X237/301]
[Turn over
Page four
Section 3 – Epistemology
Question 4
(You should answer
all
parts of this question and
either
Question 5
or
Question 6.)
(
a
) In what ways might experience be limited as a source of knowledge?
(
b
) In what ways might reason be limited as a source of knowledge?
(
c
) Explain the infinite regress argument as used by sceptics.
Either
Question 5
(You should only answer this question if you have studied
Descartes’
Rationalism
in the Epistemology Unit. If not, go to Question 6.)
Read the following extract and answer the questions that follow.
“And thus I now seem able to posit as a general rule that everything I very
clearly and distinctly perceive is true.”
(
a
)Give
three
examples of what Descartes might regard as clear and distinct
perceptions.
(
b
) What does Descartes mean by seeing something “clearly and distinctly”?
(
c
) Explain how Descartes employs the idea of clear and distinct perceptions in
his attempt to establish certain knowledge.
(
d
) What problems are there with Descartes’ use of the clear and distinct rule?
(
e
) What evidence is there in the
Meditations
that Descartes is a rationalist?
Give examples to illustrate your answer.
Marks Code
3KU
3KU
4KU
(10)
3KU
3KU
8AE
6AE
4KU
6AE
(30)
[X237/301]
Page five
Section 3 – Epistemology (continued)
Or
Question 6
(You should only answer this question if you have studied
Hume’s Empiricism
in the Epistemology Unit.)
Read the following extract and answer the questions that follow
“All the objects of human reason or enquiry may naturally be divided into two
kinds, to wit, Relations of Ideas, and Matters of Fact.”
(
a
) Give
three
examples of what Hume might regard as a “Relation of Ideas”.
(
b
) What does Hume mean by “Matters of Fact”?
(
c
) Explain the purpose of “Hume’s Fork”.
(
d
) What problems are there with “Hume’s Fork”?
(
e
) What evidence is there in the
Enquiries
that Hume is an empiricist?
Give examples to illustrate your answer.
Marks Code
3KU
3KU
8AE
6AE
4KU
6AE
(30)
[X237/301]
[Turn over
Section 4 – Moral Philosophy
You should answer
both
questions – Question 7
and
Question 8.
Question 7
Your close friend says she wants to tell you a secret but before telling you makes
you promise to tell nobody. She then explains that the previous night she had
been out with her friends stealing and had nearly been caught. The police are
now asking questions and your friend says she needs an alibi. Your friend tells
you that unless you lie to the police she will get a criminal record.
Explain and evaluate the advice Kantians would give to you in this situation.
Question 8
Explain and evaluate Emotivism
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