Fall 1998, M.F Goodman
Directions: Answer at least, and at most, one of the following questions. You must limit your answer to a maximum of three (3) pages, typed, double spaced, with one inch (1") margins all around. Use complete and grammatically correct sentences, paying attention to spelling, punctuation and so on. Use no quotes.
1. Moore thinks he's gone a fair distance in refuting (or at least calling into question) the idealist position. Ultimately he thinks he knows how to obtain a split between mind and matter, which the idealist will reject (at least if matter is thought to be something outside the mind). By what reasoning did Moore think to accomplish this task?
2. Create an original sentence which expresses one indefinite and one definite description. Explain explicitly how the indefinite description does not refer to any entity and how the definite description does refer to a specific entity. Further, explain why Russell makes a distinction between a name and a definite description.
Directions: Answer at least, and at most, one of the following questions. You must limit your answer to a maximum of three (3) pages, typed (12 point type), double spaced, with one inch (1") margins all around. Use complete and grammatically correct sentences, paying attention to spelling, punctuation and so on. Use no quotes.
1. a) Explain Ayer's criterion of verifiability. Use one original example in your explanation. b) In light of your explanation, how might Ayer justify the use of theoretical terms used in science. If you think he couldn't, explain why you think this. c) Explain what Carnap's concept of methodological solipsism has to do with the subject matters of (a) and (b) above.
2. Explain, in your own words, and with original examples, the three flaws Hempel points to with regard to the "requirement of complete verifiability in principle".