Alternative Assignment to Quiz #1

Complete the following questions, and bring a hard copy to class with you on Wednesday, May 15. [Typewritten or computer-generated preferred; handwritten acceptable.]

Question #1.

Empiricism and Rationalism represent the two principal positions in epistemology: the one claims fundamental knowledge of the world is grounded in sense data/experience; the other claims fundamental knowledge of the world is grounded in reason. Per our discussion and readings, write out a critique of one of these positions using Morris’ 3 C’s of assessment. How does your selected position stack up to those assessment measures? (This should run at least one-half page of writing/typing.)

Question #2.

I called Plato a Rationalist. Find, cite and quote some key sentences from a relevant passage in Sophie’s World that supports (or contradicts) that characterization of Plato. (This can be as short as a single paragraph, or as long as one-half page.)

Question #3.

Explain the appropriateness (or inappropriateness) of the title of Gaarder’s novel. In short, why is it right (or wrong) to call it Sophie’s World? (This should run at least one-half page of writing/typing.)

See you next week.