Phil 300 Final Paper
Submit as Word document or pdf as upload on Canvas
Due: Thursday, May 9th, 11:59pm
MLA format (in-text citations and works-cited page)
Be Epistemically Temperate!
Heather Battaly, in her article Epistemic Self-Indulgence, describes the ET person as one who desires, consumes and enjoys only appropriate epistemic objects at the appropriate times to the appropriate amount and degree with the appropriate frequency (224, article). She also notes that an ET person can also consume epistemic treats (222f). In order to write the paper, prepare by journaling, describing, and reflecting on two days of attempting to be epistemically temperate: include which epistemic objects you pursued (226f) and which epistemic virtues you employed in your epistemic pursuits. After your first day of Temperance, and before you begin your next day of Temperance, Reflect on how your day went, both good and bad, noting areas you think went well and which areas that could use improvement, along with a few specific goals for the second day. Write these reflections and goals down before beginning your Journaling of day two.
As you Journal and Describe your days, reflect on why you think your epistemic objects (true beliefs) are worthy to be known rather than less valuable or less worthy (pages 226-231, article). Note the times, degree, and frequency that you pursued epistemic objects, and explain why the amount and frequency in your case was a temperate amount rather than too much (Epistemic Self Indulgence), or too little (Epistemic Insensibility).
Remember to describe your days accurately: both Aristotle and Battaly would allow for instances of failure (vice). If you fail at any point during the day be sure to note whether you did so out of akrasia(weakness of will) or on purpose (conviction) (214-219).
After completing your reflections, compose a paper according to the following guidelines:
Introduction = you may use this paragraph:
The purpose of this paper is to reflect on two days of being epistemically temperate in order both to assess my successes and failures in relation to ideas and concepts from Heather Battaly’s article, “Epistemic Self-Indulgence”, as well as to explain how Virtue Epistemology in general may provide a promising route of turning belief into knowledge. In order to accomplish this goal I will proceed in three steps. First, I will describe the epistemic objects I pursued over the course of two days of attempting to be Epistemically Temperate, including end-states and activities, as well as examples of partaking in epistemic treats. Second, I will assess my attempts at being Epistemically Temperate by evaluating my end-states and activities (and treats) in relation to Battaly’s categories of being EI, ET, or ESI. Finally, I will explain how Virtue Epistemology in general may provide a promising way of turning belief into knowledge, thereby avoiding the spectre of skepticism.
Body (1 page)
Describe the Epistemic Objects that you pursued:
these epistemic objects could either be End-States, or True Beliefs
true beliefs
-important or trivial?
-practical or theoretical?
-helpful or harmful?
treats
or Activities = these will be 2 or 3 of the following Intellectual Virtues:
Open-mindedness
Ability to perform logical operations/make correct calculations
Practical wisdom
Sagacity
Attentiveness
Good memory
Diligence in inquiry
Inventiveness
Intellectual courage
Creativity
Insight into persons (empathy)
Fairness in assessing evidence and arguments
Ability to recognize trustworthy authorities
Focus on one project for extended amounts of time
Perseverance
Delayed gratification
Assessment (1 page)
In what ways were you Successful in your search for True Beliefs (ET)?
In what ways did you Fail (EI, ESI) in your search for True Beliefs?
Analysis of Virtue Epistemology (1 page)
Explain some problems related to turning belief into knowledge
Explain how the concept of being Epistemically Temperate might provide a promising route for moving from mere belief to knowledge, thereby avoiding the spectre of skepticism.
