Question 1

Frank says he believes that the deadlock in the discussion is simply due to the fact that he and the Epistemologist mean different things by the word "belief." In other words, that the entire difference is purely metaphysical.

Accepted Answer

The difference described by Frank is semantic, not metaphysical, as it pertains to the meaning of the word "belief" rather than the nature of reality.

Question 2

Frank says that "most people when asked what they believe simply tell you. Why do you, in order to find out your beliefs, go through the fantastically roundabout process of directing a thought-reading machine to your own brain and then finding out what you believe on the basis of the machine readings?" The Epistemologist replies, "What other scientific, objective way is there of finding out what I believe?"

Accepted Answer

The Epistemologist is stating that using a thought-reading machine is a scientific and objective way of finding out what they believe, implying that there is no other method that is as reliable or accurate.

Question 3

When the question of the Epistemologist's sanity arises, it turns out that, "According to the machine the best thing I can do is to cease to trust the machine."

Accepted Answer

This statement suggests a paradox or contradiction, implying that trusting the machine (which tells the epistemologist to stop trusting the machine) would be illogical. Therefore, the best option is to follow the advice of the machine and stop trusting it.

Question 4

According to the Epistemologist, "If the machine is trustworthy, then I had better accept its suggestion to distrust it. But if I distrust it, then I also distrust its suggestion to distrust it." In other words, the Epistemologist is devoid of free will.

Accepted Answer

The statement does not suggest that the Epistemologist is devoid of free will. It simply presents a paradoxical situation where trusting or distrusting the machine both lead to contradictions. The Epistemologist still has the agency to make a decision, even if it is a difficult one.

Question 5

What is the Epistemologist's opinion of "private mental states"? Why does he hold that view?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What is the Epistemologist's opinion of "private...

Question 6

According to the Epistemologist, what is his machine capable of doing, and how does it do it?
Do you think that such a machine is possible? Explain your answer.

Accepted Answer

The answer of According to the Epistemologist, what is his...

Question 7

Why does Frank say that he doubts that the Epistemologist's machine can measure Frank's psychological states, his actual beliefs?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Why does Frank say that he doubts...

Question 8

Why does Frank believe that the deadlock in the discussion with the Epistemologist is simply semantical?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Why does Frank believe that the deadlock...

Question 9

When Frank asks the Epistemologist why he goes through the roundabout process of directing a thought-reading machine at his own brain, and then finding out what he believes on the basis of the machine readings, what is the Epistemologist's answer?

Accepted Answer

The answer of When Frank asks the Epistemologist why he...

Question 10

What advice does the machine give the Epistemologist when the question of his sanity arises?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What advice does the machine give the...

Question 11

Explain the "terrible paradox" that confronts the Epistemologist. Why does he take it seriously? Do you see a way out for the Epistemologist?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Explain the "terrible paradox" that confronts the...

Question 12

According to MacDonald, "none of the criteria appropriate to waking life apply to ..."

Accepted Answer

MacDonald is specifically referring to dreams in the sentence.

Question 13

MacDonald claims that one obvious difference between dreams and waking illusions is that the latter ...

Accepted Answer

MacDonald argues that one key difference between dreams and waking illusions is that the latter occur in a context of real objects with which they can be compared. Dreams lack this correspondence to reality, which makes them fundamentally different from illusions that occur during waking consciousness.

Question 14

MacDonald considers the question, "But may not the colors of all objects be distorted by wearing, e.g., brown spectacles?" MacDonald's response is that although it is true, nevertheless, …

Accepted Answer

MacDonald's response is that even if the colors of objects may be distorted by wearing brown spectacles, their shapes and other qualities remain unaffected. Therefore, choice A is the best answer.

Question 15

MacDonald's main point about the objects of illusory waking perception is that they are, in some sense, ...

Accepted Answer

MacDonald's main point is that the objects of illusory waking perception are located among the real objects which form their context, meaning they are perceived within the same spatial and often logical context as real objects, making them part of the observer's perceived reality, even if they are not actually present.

Question 16

MacDonald argues that "The contents of dreams do not appear in a context of real objects, for there are none." While it makes sense to say "I dreamed that I was riding an elephant," it would be nonsense to say ...

Accepted Answer

MacDonald argues that dreams do not appear in a context of real objects, so it would not make sense for a dream to be located between the window and the wardrobe. This answer directly contradicts MacDonald's argument.

Question 17

MacDonald says that if you are asked the question, "Where did you meet Bernard Shaw?" and you answer, "In a dream," then your answer would be silly because ...

Accepted Answer

The answer "in a dream" does not give a physical location where the meeting took place, making it an incomplete answer.

Question 18

MacDonald tells us, "there are procedures for determining whether any waking perception is veridical or illusory. One perception is checked or corrected by others." These procedures are constantly and deliberately employed when a perception is doubted. If I want to determine whether a rock is near me, then I can try to touch it in order to prove that the object is, or is not, real. From this discussion, MacDonald concludes that ...

Accepted Answer

MacDonald concludes that checking perceptions to determine their veridicality is logically impossible in a dream, as the procedures for verifying reality cannot be applied in the dream state.

Question 19

MacDonald argues that the inability to apply tests to dreams "is logical, not physical or psychological. But when it is logically impossible that tests which prevent or correct mistake should be applied then it is nonsensical to assert that mistake can occur. No one can be deceived where no distinction can be made between what is and is not deceptive." Therefore, ...

Accepted Answer

MacDonald's argument is that it is logically impossible to test dreams for errors, therefore it is nonsensical to assert that mistakes can occur within a dream. This means that a dreamer cannot be correct or mistaken about what they are dreaming as there is no way to test it.

Question 20

MacDonald says that "Descartes' proof that the state of waking cannot be distinguished from sleep depends upon these facts: (a) that dreams are remembered, and (b) that what is so remembered resembles an object or combination of objects perceived when awake." But MacDonald argues that the criteria of "real" and "illusory" physical objects which apply to the perceptions of waking life ...

Accepted Answer

MacDonald argues that the criteria of "real" and "illusory" physical objects which apply to the perceptions of waking life do not apply to the contents of dreams. Therefore, the best choice is D.

Quiz 2: Plato Knowledge Is Recollection