Online Assignment 5 PDF

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Exercise 4.1 1. What kinds of beliefs are part of a person’s background information? Some beliefs part of background information can be also called “common knowledge.” Or for example, “the sun is hot,” “the Easter bunny is not real,” “humans are mortal,” fire burns,” and “George Washington lived in the 18th century.” That are a large collection of well-supported beliefs that guides a person’s choices and actions. 2. What is the most reasonable attitude toward a claim that conflicts with other claims you have good reason to believe? The most reasonable attitude toward the claim would be to doubt the claim. 3. What degree of probability should we assign to a claim that conflicts with our background information? We should put a low degree of probability to such a claim. 6. What should be our attitude toward a claim that conflicts with expert opinion? If an expert’s opinion conflicts, it is best to doubt the claim. 8. What is the fallacy of the appeal to authority? The fallacy of the appeal to authority occurs when we base a belief on the fact that someone that is not an expert. Has said that the claim is true. 9. According to the text, in most fields, what are the two minimal prerequisites for being considered an expert? Education/training and experience. 12. When is it reasonable to accept the evidence provided by personal experience? As long as there is no positive reason to doubt the claim, then it is reasonable to believe a claim based on personal experience. 14. In what ways are our perception and memory constructive? Our perception and memory are constructive because we perceive and remember to some degree fabricated by our minds. Like for example, we can see a shadow of a man on the road, but it turns out to be a tree stump. 15. What are some ways that people resist contrary evidence? We sometimes resist contrary evidence by not consulting information that might show that are beliefs can be false, and also uncritically believing what we do. 19. What is the connection between availability error and hasty generalization? If the evidence that we rely on is striking or memorable, then we are more likely to fall victim to conformation bias. That will often lead to making hasty generalizations. Exercise 4.2 1. Israeli psychic Uri Geller can bend spoons with his mind. We should proportion our belief. There is not a lot of evidence that shows psychics can bend spoons with just your mind. Low probability. 2. In Russia, some people live to be 150 years old. We should proportion our belief. There is not a lot of evidence to show that people live past 150 years old in general. Low probability. Exercise 4.3

1. Affirmative action should be abolished at all state colleges. I disagree with this claim. Persuasive evidence would include if there is evidence showed that all opportunities are equal for each group in the country that have been neglected. Then I would probably change my mind. 2. Same-sex marriage should be legally recognized in all fifty states. I agree with this claim. If problems would result from same-sex marriage being legal in states that does not agree with it. Then I would probably reject the claim. 4. Earth is only ten thousand years old. I disagree with this claim. Persuasive evidence includes if I was given the proof that the Earth was ten thousand years old, then I would change my mind. 5. There is life on Mars I disagree with this statement. If there is proof that Mars can support life or if there is actual proof of life on Mars. Then I would change my mind. 6. Some people can twist heads around on their necks a complete 360 degrees. I disagree with this claim. Persuasive evidence would include seeing multiple videos of evidence that shows a person rotating their heads 360 degrees. Then I would change my mind. 7. On Tuesday, a new computer virus will shut down every network and every PC in the world. I disagree with this statement. Persuasive evidence includes internet hackers making threats and attempting to try hacking into multiple computers. Also, I need to see a warning message from people that control the networks. Then I would accept the statement. 9. All swans are white. I agree with this statement. Non-persuasive evidence would be if some showed me a black swan. 10. “Corporate welfare”-tax breaks and other special considerations for businessesshould be discontinued. I agree with this statement. Non-persuasive evidence would include if I were to see statics that are biased showing that everyone on has enough income I would regect this statement....