Order Instructions
Choose 10 terms from the provided list.
Constructive Empiricism (Science)
Constructivism (Kant)
Empirical Adequacy (Science)
Empiricism
Functionalism
Idealism (Berkeley)
Instrumentalism (Science)
Materialism
Mind-body dualism
Nominalism
Philosophical skepticism
Rationalism
realism (scientific)
Synthetic A Priori
Universals (Plato)
Step 2
For each term, do the following:
Provide a brief definition in your own words. DO NOT copy and paste a definition from anywhere. When you search online, add the word “philosophy” to the term and spell it properly to be sure you are getting the right information. “Idealism” in philosophy is very different from “Idealism.”
State whether it is related to metaphysics, epistemology, or both and in what way.
Discuss how it factors into your belief system, or discuss something you feel is interesting about how the term fits into the study of metaphysics or epistemology.
Scoring:
Each term will be worth 10 points. Points are awarded as follows:
A single term is appropriately identified from the list (1pt)
A detailed, accurate definition in your own words, not copy and pasted or plagiarized (4pts)
The term is appropriately identified as metaphysics, epistemology, or both (2 pts)
Clearly articulated how all it fits into your personal belief system (3 pts)
Tips
You may want to do your research ahead of time and save it in a word document. When you’re ready to take the assessment, you can copy and paste from your word document into the quiz space.
Example Response Using a Term from Week 7
Utilitarianism: At the core, utilitarianism is an ethical theory that used the belief humans favor pleasure over pain to determine that the most moral action is the one that produces the greater good for the greater number of those involved. Personally, as a rule, utilitarian, I feel that some duties are important, but there are often exceptions and rules that need to be bent or broken to do the morally right thing.