Skeptical hypothesis
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A skeptical hypothesis is a hypothetical situation that raises doubts about knowledge. Usually the hypothesis posits the existence of a deceptive power that deceives our senses and undermines the justification of knowledge otherwise accepted as justified. Skeptical hypotheses have received much attention in modern western philosophy. Some of the prominent skeptical hypotheses in western philosophy include: Evil Daemon, Brain in a vat, and the Five minute hypothesis.
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[edit] Scope and Power
Skeptical hypotheses differ from other forms of skepticism in scope and power. The scope of the evil demon hypothesis is much wider than moral skepticism or religious skepticism. Skeptical hypotheses cast doubt on the widest range of human knowledge. The power of the evil demon hypothesis supports the claim that all beliefs from experience are deceptions (unjustified).
[edit] Origins of Skeptical Hypotheses
The first skeptical hypothesis in the modern western philosophy appears in René Descartes's primary philosophical work, Meditations on First Philosophy. At the end of the first Meditation Descartes writes: "I will suppose... that some evil demon of the utmost power and cunning has employed all his energies to deceive me." Additionally, skeptical hypotheses were posted in all the stages and regions of history of philosophy.
[edit] See also
- Skepticism
- Philosophical skepticism
- Here is one hand - a response to skepticism
[edit] External links
| Skeptical hypotheses |
|---|
| Evil Daemon | Brain in a vat | Dream argument | 5 minute earth |
| Responses |
| Here is a hand | Semantic externalism | Process reliabilism | Closure | Contextualism | Relativism |
