Hinge Epistemology, Radical Skepticism, and Domain Specific Skepticism

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 116-133
Author(s):  
Drew Johnson
Keyword(s):  
Moral Skepticism ◽  
Radical Skepticism ◽  
Domain Specific ◽  
Hinge Epistemology ◽  
Moral Domain ◽  
Skeptical Problem ◽  
Domain I ◽  
Moral Nihilism

This paper explores how hinge epistemology (specifically, Duncan Pritchard’s brand of hinge epistemology) might fruitfully be applied not only to the problem of radical skepticism, but also to certain domain specific (or ‘local’) skepticisms, and in particular, moral skepticism. The paper explains the idea of a domain specific skepticism, and how domain specific skepticisms contrast with radical skepticism. I argue that a domain specific skeptical problem can be resolved in just the same way as radical skepticism, if there are hinge commitments within that domain. I then suggest that there are hinge commitments in the moral domain, and use this to address a moral skeptical problem due to our apparent inability to know moral nihilism to be false.

A REPLY TO RONALD DWORKIN’S CRITIQUE OF MORAL SKEPTICISM

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
pp. 23-45
Author(s):  
Mateus Matos Tormin
Keyword(s):  
General Structure ◽  
Ronald Dworkin ◽  
Moral Skepticism ◽  
Moral Domain

This paper focuses on “indeterminacy”, “objectivity” and “truth” in the work of Ronald Dworkin. The text is divided into four parts: first, I will expose the general structure of Dworkin’s conception of objectivity in the moral domain (Section 1). Next, I will present the main critiques Dworkin addresses to two of his most important philosophical enemies, namely the “external skeptic” (Section 2.1) and the “internal skeptic” (Section 2.2). I then intend to address Dworkin’s critiques by presenting counterarguments in defense of moral skepticism (Section 3). In order to clarify the debate and its points, I try to illustrate the arguments with examples whenever possible. In the concluding Section (4), I recapitulate the main points of the text.

scholarly journals Skeptical hypotheses and moral skepticism

2013 ◽  
Vol 43 (3) ◽  
pp. 341-359 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joshua May
Keyword(s):  
External World ◽  
Moral Knowledge ◽  
Moral Skepticism ◽  
Moral Case ◽  
General Lesson ◽  
Special Force ◽  
Moral Nihilism ◽  
Promising Avenue

Moral skeptics maintain that we do not have moral knowledge. Traditionally they haven't argued via skeptical hypotheses like those provided by perceptual skeptics about the external world, such as Descartes' deceiving demon. But some believe this can be done by appealing to hypotheses like moral nihilism. Moreover, some claim that skeptical hypotheses have special force in the moral case. But I argue that skeptics have failed to specify an adequate skeptical scenario, which reveals a general lesson: such arguments are not a promising avenue for moral skeptics to take. They're ultimately weaker when applied to morality compared to perception.

scholarly journals Contemporary Approaches to the Problem of Cartesian Skepticism. Open Lecture: Does the External World Exist? Part I. Solving or Dissolving the Skeptical Problem

2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 180-194
Author(s):  
Igor E. Pris
Keyword(s):  
External World ◽  
Cartesian Skepticism ◽  
Traditional Epistemology ◽  
Epistemological Disjunctivism ◽  
Hinge Epistemology ◽  
Skeptical Problem ◽  
Successful Approach ◽  
Frame Work ◽  
Hinge Proposition

We consider some newcontemporary approaches to solving or dissolving the problem of skepticism regarding the existence of the external world, in particular, disjunctivism, Duncan Pritchard’s biscopic approach and Timothy Williamson’s knowledge first approach. We argue that resolving the skepticalproblem within the framework of epistemological disjunctivism is problematic because it does not take into account the Wittgenstein's notion of a hinge proposition. In fact, a successful approach to the skepticalproblem requires a revision of the metaphysical premises of traditional epistemology, namely the adoption of a non-metaphysical Wittgenstein’s realism. The recently proposed by D. Pritchard within the frame-work of his “biscopic” approach dissolving of the skeptical problem asa pseudo-problem just combines Wittgenstein’s hinge epistemology and epistemological disjunctivism.

STRICT MORAL LIABILITY

2019 ◽  
Vol 36 (01) ◽  
pp. 52-71
Author(s):  
Justin A. Capes
Keyword(s):  
Strict Liability ◽  
Tort Law ◽  
Moral Domain ◽  
Domain I ◽  
Normative Foundations

Abstract:Strict liability in tort law is thought by some to have a moral counterpart. In this essay I attempt to determine whether there is, in fact, strict liability in the moral domain. I argue that there is, and I critically evaluate several accounts of its normative foundations before suggesting one of my own.

Farewell to Epistemic Angst

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Duncan Pritchard
Keyword(s):  
Radical Skepticism ◽  
Key Points ◽  
Skeptical Problem

This chapter brings together the main threads of discussion from the previous chapters to offer a unified solution—a “biscopic” proposal, as the chapter describes it—to the two formulations of the radical skeptical problem that this volume has been engaging with. To this end, this chapter first revisits some of the key points raised in the rest of the volume in order to set the scene for a resolution of radical skepticism. Once the solution has been expounded, the chapter then explores it further by considering some natural objections that might be raised for the view and comparing it with rival proposals.

Epistemic Angst

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Duncan Pritchard
Keyword(s):  
Philosophical Problem ◽  
The Other ◽  
Radical Skepticism ◽  
Skeptical Problem ◽  
Contemporary Epistemology ◽  
Rational Evaluation ◽  
Elegant Solution

This book offers a completely new solution to the ancient philosophical problem of radical skepticism—the challenge of explaining how it is possible to have knowledge of a world external to us. The book argues that the key to resolving this puzzle is to realize that it is composed of two logically distinct problems, each requiring its own solution. The book then puts forward solutions to both problems. To that end, the book offers a new reading of Wittgenstein's account of the structure of rational evaluation and demonstrates how this provides an elegant solution to one aspect of the skeptical problem. The book also revisits the epistemological disjunctivist proposal and shows how it can effectively handle the other aspect of the problem. Finally, the book argues that these two anti-skeptical positions, while superficially in tension with each other, are not only compatible but also mutually supporting. The result is a comprehensive and distinctive resolution to the problem of radical skepticism, one that challenges many assumptions in contemporary epistemology.

Domain-Specific Stabilization of Structural and Dynamic Responses of Human Serum Albumin by Sucrose

2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. 287-300
Author(s):  
Vaisakh Mohan ◽  
Bhaswati Sengupta ◽  
Nilimesh Das ◽  
Indrani Banerjee ◽  
Pratik Sen
Keyword(s):  
Steady State ◽  
Human Serum Albumin ◽  
Serum Albumin ◽  
Human Serum ◽  
Intermediate State ◽  
Domain Specific ◽  
External Agents ◽  
Domain Iii ◽  
Domain I ◽  
Circular Dichroïsm

Background: Human Serum Albumin (HSA) is the most abundant protein present in human blood plasma. It is a large multi-domain protein with 585 amino acid residues. Due to its importance in human body, studies on the interaction of HSA with different external agent is of vital interest. The denaturation and renaturation of HSA in presence of external agents are of particular interest as they affect the biological activity of the protein. Objective: The objective of this work is to study the domain-specific and overall structural and dynamical changes occurring to HSA in the presence of a denaturing agent, urea and a renaturing agent, sucrose. Methods: In order to carry out the domain-specific studies, HSA has been tagged using N-(7- dimethylamino-4-methylcoumarin-3-yl) iodoacetamide (DACIA) at Cys-34 of domain-I and pnitrophenyl coumarin ester (NPCE) at Tyr-411 site in domain-III, separately. Steady-state absorption, emission and solvation dynamic measurements have been carried out in order to monitor the domain-specific alteration of HSA caused by the external agents. The overall structural change of HSA have been monitored using circular dichroism spectroscopy. Results: The α-helicity of HSA was found to decrease from 65% to 11% in presence of urea and was found to further increase to 25% when sucrose is added, manifesting the denaturing and renaturing effects of urea and sucrose, respectively. The steady state studies show that domain-III is more labile towards denaturation as compared to domain-I. The presence of an intermediate state is observed during the denaturation process. The stabilization of this intermediate state in presence of sucrose is attributed as the reason for the stabilization of HSA by sucrose. From solvation dynamics studies, it could be seen that the solvation time of DACIA inside domain-I of HSA decreases and increases regularly with increasing concentrations of urea and sucrose, respectively, while in the case of NPCE-tagged domain-III, the effect of sucrose on solvation time is evident only at high concentrations of urea. Conclusion: The denaturing and renaturing effects of urea and sucrose could be clearly seen from the steady state studies and circular dichroism spectroscopy measurements. A regular change in solvation time could only be observed in the case of domain-I and not in domain-III. The results indicate that the renaturing effect of sucrose on domain-III is not very evident when protein is in its native state, but is evident in when the protein is denatured.</P>

scholarly journals Skeptical Hypotheses and Moral Skepticism

2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jimmy Alfonso Licon
Keyword(s):  
Evolutionary Explanation ◽  
Epistemic Closure ◽  
Moral Skepticism ◽  
Evolutionary Scenario ◽  
Imaginative Resistance ◽  
Moral Nihilism

May (2013) argues that moral skepticism is less plausible than perceptual skepticism if it’s formulated using epistemic closure (hereafter the implausibility thesis). In this paper, I argue we should be skeptical of the implausibility thesis. Moral skepticism can be formulated using closure if we combine moral nihilism with a properly formulated evolutionary scenario. Further, I argue that pace May, the phenomenon of ‘imaginative resistance’ isn’t an issue for the moral skeptic; she has an evolutionary explanation of the phenomenon. Thus, we should be skeptical of the implausibility thesis.

Scientific Problem Solving in a Virtual Laboratory: A Comparison Between Individuals and Pairs

2008 ◽  
Vol 67 (2) ◽  
pp. 71-83 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yolanda A. Métrailler ◽  
Ester Reijnen ◽  
Cornelia Kneser ◽  
Klaus Opwis
Keyword(s):  
Visual Search ◽  
Problem Solving ◽  
Process Data ◽  
Scientific Problem ◽  
Domain Specific ◽  
Scientific Problem Solving ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Verbal Data ◽  
Psychological Knowledge ◽  
Problem Solving Task

This study compared individuals with pairs in a scientific problem-solving task. Participants interacted with a virtual psychological laboratory called Virtue to reason about a visual search theory. To this end, they created hypotheses, designed experiments, and analyzed and interpreted the results of their experiments in order to discover which of five possible factors affected the visual search process. Before and after their interaction with Virtue, participants took a test measuring theoretical and methodological knowledge. In addition, process data reflecting participants’ experimental activities and verbal data were collected. The results showed a significant but equal increase in knowledge for both groups. We found differences between individuals and pairs in the evaluation of hypotheses in the process data, and in descriptive and explanatory statements in the verbal data. Interacting with Virtue helped all students improve their domain-specific and domain-general psychological knowledge.

Emotions and health: The impact of emotions, emotions regulation, music, and acculturation on health

2008 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 112-115 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephan Bongard ◽  
Volker Hodapp ◽  
Sonja Rohrmann
Keyword(s):  
Stress Responses ◽  
Physiological Stress ◽  
Anger Expression ◽  
Domain Specific ◽  
Cardiovascular Stress ◽  
Expression Behavior ◽  
Cardio Vascular ◽  
And Coping ◽  
Relationship Of ◽  
The Impact

Abstract. Our unit investigates the relationship of emotional processes (experience, expression, and coping), their physiological correlates and possible health outcomes. We study domain specific anger expression behavior and associated cardio-vascular loads and found e.g. that particularly an open anger expression at work is associated with greater blood pressure. Furthermore, we demonstrated that women may be predisposed for the development of certain mental disorders because of their higher disgust sensitivity. We also pointed out that the suppression of negative emotions leads to increased physiological stress responses which results in a higher risk for cardiovascular diseases. We could show that relaxation as well as music activity like singing in a choir causes increases in the local immune parameter immunoglobuline A. Finally, we are investigating connections between migrants’ strategy of acculturation and health and found e.g. elevated cardiovascular stress responses in migrants when they where highly adapted to the German culture.

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