In this class, we will consider whether some important philosophical truths are best learned through observing tradition, trusting authorities, and cultivating a more deferential kind of intellectual humility.
Read This:
Henrich’s The Secret of our Success: Trust Tradition
Key Concepts:
- Causal opacity
- Cultural evolution
- Overimitation
Have questions or thoughts about the reading? Post them on PollEverywhere, and upvote any classmates’ responses that you’d like to cover in class. We’ll address the most upvoted responses during the Q&A part of class.
Do This:
- Complete lessons 1-10 of How We Argue by Saturday, October 12.
- Complete Argument Capstone 2 by Saturday, October 19.
Watch This:
Pre-Class Questions
Your responses to the following questions are due on Canvas before class. Your top 15 scores of the semester will count toward your final grade.
- In your own words, explain Henrich’s concept of “causal opacity” and give an example from your own life.
- Henrich focuses on traditional practices, rather than beliefs. Based on what you’ve read for today, what do you think he would say about how we should form beliefs? Explain.
- In your own approach to belief-formation, would you say you tend to be more skeptical or more trusting? What do you see as the main pros and cons of your approach?
Living the Good Life
Reflections addressing prompts from the Epistemology unit (“Question Everything” through “Believe Your Truth”) are due on Canvas by 11:59pm on October 27. You may write up to two “Living the Good Life” reflections in the first half of the semester and up to two in the second half of the semester. You can also revise and resubmit one reflection for a new grade, within one week after your grade is posted. Your top three scores will count toward your final grade.
Describe at least one example (real or hypothetical) of a traditional belief or practice that you think should be questioned or rejected, and at least one example (real or hypothetical) of a traditional belief or practice that you think should not be questioned or rejected. In each case, explain your reasoning in as much detail as you can. Based on these examples, under what circumstances, in general, should we accept a traditional belief or practice without questioning?
