Skepticism and Belief
Bridger Ehli
Philosophy
Skepticism is usually understood as the position according to which most or all of our beliefs fall short of knowledge. This view of our epistemic condition has played a highly significant role in the history of ideas, with historical authors’ having advocated a variety of views about its aims and scope. For Sextus Empiricus, skepticism is a way of life that provides a sure route to tranquility. For René Descartes, it is a methodological device by which we can cleanse ourselves of unfounded beliefs. The first part of this course considers many of the most influential discussions of skepticism in the Western canon, focusing on the question: what can we know? Some varieties skepticism are narrower in their scope, taking aim only at specific kinds of belief. In the second part of this course, we will consider what is often called _religious skepticism_. This form of skepticism maintains that all or most forms of religious belief cannot be justified. We will read works by authors such as David Hume and Voltaire that aim to support religious skepticism. But we will also consider authors such as Augustine and Blaise Pascal who attempt to establish the reasonableness of religious belief in the face of skeptical doubts. We will engage with perspectives from philosophy, theology, and literature.
Catalog Information: HHC-H 212 PAST AUTHORS, QUESTIONS II