General Awareness

Epistemology and Skepticism

3,700 Questions

Explore a targeted set of epistemology and skepticism questions focusing on theories of knowledge, logical arguments, and philosophical critiques. Topics include coherentism, foundationalism, and decision making processes. This resource is useful for students preparing for UPSC optional subjects and academic entrance tests.

Theories of knowledgeSkeptical argumentsPhilosophical logicFoundationalism critique

Epistemology and Skepticism Questions

Multiple choice

How are beliefs and theories interlinked? (Passage 1)

Answer the question based on the following passages.

Passage 1

            Does science relate to the authentic world? Or are its
            hypothesis dependent upon certain notions that exist in the
            researcher’s mind? Is science based on reliable factual
            information? Ortega Y Gasset said that all ideas ripen from
(5)       pre–reasoned beliefs. W. James responded that when we
           accept a new ‘truth’ we go beyond old ‘facts’ and this
            probably initiates the formation of new researchable
            scientific theories. The beliefs and notions of today probably
            can achieve the stature of being hypotheses tomorrow. It’s
(10)      undoubted that beliefs are in some way responsible for
            designing the theories of future. There always are cases
            where humans believe in a few things existing but lack
            explanation. There always are some ideas existing in nature.
            We can feel them; we can believe in their existence but
(15)      cannot accept them till their existence is reasonably proved.
            So there is a lot of difference in believing in something and
            believing that something exists.
            Our beliefs are circumscribed by reasoning. We all believe in
            the connection between various things. No one can deny this.
(20)      All things may consistently follow each other but that does
            not reveal any relation between them. There is ambiguity
            because the connectivity in our mind is cooked up work.
            Science limits this ambiguity and elucidates that only a
            few things inter-relate according to a conceptual framework
(25)     and these we declare as theories. Ideas are differentiated,
            classed and checked before formulation and science claims
            to possess the tools to demark, classify, study and elucidate
            these ideas and relations. Science extends the green signal
            to those relationships that have proved their ‘certainty’ or near
(30)      certainty. All science is based on proof. The connection which
            cannot be put to proof clearly is categorized as ‘false’. So
            science uses its apparatus to check the practicality of relations
            before formulation of its theories.

Passage 2

            Superstition gives us the freedom to connect everything,
            even things little known to us. People foresee their future
            in the planets, some dates are auspicious, some numbers
            can be unpropitious, black cats predict disaster. We fear
(5)        these things because their effects, if there are any, are little
            known. We cannot peek into or relate much to the future; so
            we are superstitious about it.
            If we cannot learn about a relationship, does that mean it
            does not exist? On seeing a tiger, our sight accepts its
(10)      existence and on hearing its roar also the existence of tiger
            can be accepted. We can see the results of high currents and
            infer or presume their existence from the ultimate wreckage.
            So we as human beings have a marked correlation mechanism.
            But our knowledge is limited. Whatever our sense of assessment
(15)      of correlations, there can always be a new amazing insight
            in connection with the idea. We cannot say we have evolved
            with the perfect and satisfactory derivation, as all our knowing
            is also limited.
            All Aristotelian, Newtonian works and physical theories
(20)      divulge connections which were unimagined before their
            revelation. Such people developed new tools to establish
            connectivity and slowly developed a theory in the bargain.
            So we can say, probably all superstitions could turn
            tomorrow’s science given the right treatment. Relationships
(25)      of Earth with the moon, the sun, the planets were all
            based on superstitions in pre historic times but people
            worked on these superstitions and slowly a real relation
            based on science was derived. All superstitions were shed
            and real theory evolved. So we can say superstitions are
(30)      possibly the mother to most of scientific theories.

  1. The beliefs relate to one another to create a new theory.

  2. The beliefs and theories are all human brainwork, so they are interrelated.

  3. Belief is like a rudimentary blue print for theory.

  4. Theories are based on research of the past based on proven beliefs.

  5. Theories are beliefs proved by parallel beliefs.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The beliefs and notions of today probably can achieve the stature of being hypotheses tomorrow.

Multiple choice

How does Passage 1 differ from Passage 2?

Answer the question based on the following passages.

Passage 1

            Does science relate to the authentic world? Or are its
            hypothesis dependent upon certain notions that exist in the
            researcher’s mind? Is science based on reliable factual
            information? Ortega Y Gasset said that all ideas ripen from
(5)       pre–reasoned beliefs. W. James responded that when we
           accept a new ‘truth’ we go beyond old ‘facts’ and this
            probably initiates the formation of new researchable
            scientific theories. The beliefs and notions of today probably
            can achieve the stature of being hypotheses tomorrow. It’s
(10)      undoubted that beliefs are in some way responsible for
            designing the theories of future. There always are cases
            where humans believe in a few things existing but lack
            explanation. There always are some ideas existing in nature.
            We can feel them; we can believe in their existence but
(15)      cannot accept them till their existence is reasonably proved.
            So there is a lot of difference in believing in something and
            believing that something exists.
            Our beliefs are circumscribed by reasoning. We all believe in
            the connection between various things. No one can deny this.
(20)      All things may consistently follow each other but that does
            not reveal any relation between them. There is ambiguity
            because the connectivity in our mind is cooked up work.
            Science limits this ambiguity and elucidates that only a
            few things inter-relate according to a conceptual framework
(25)     and these we declare as theories. Ideas are differentiated,
            classed and checked before formulation and science claims
            to possess the tools to demark, classify, study and elucidate
            these ideas and relations. Science extends the green signal
            to those relationships that have proved their ‘certainty’ or near
(30)      certainty. All science is based on proof. The connection which
            cannot be put to proof clearly is categorized as ‘false’. So
            science uses its apparatus to check the practicality of relations
            before formulation of its theories.

Passage 2

            Superstition gives us the freedom to connect everything,
            even things little known to us. People foresee their future
            in the planets, some dates are auspicious, some numbers
            can be unpropitious, black cats predict disaster. We fear
(5)        these things because their effects, if there are any, are little
            known. We cannot peek into or relate much to the future; so
            we are superstitious about it.
            If we cannot learn about a relationship, does that mean it
            does not exist? On seeing a tiger, our sight accepts its
(10)      existence and on hearing its roar also the existence of tiger
            can be accepted. We can see the results of high currents and
            infer or presume their existence from the ultimate wreckage.
            So we as human beings have a marked correlation mechanism.
            But our knowledge is limited. Whatever our sense of assessment
(15)      of correlations, there can always be a new amazing insight
            in connection with the idea. We cannot say we have evolved
            with the perfect and satisfactory derivation, as all our knowing
            is also limited.
            All Aristotelian, Newtonian works and physical theories
(20)      divulge connections which were unimagined before their
            revelation. Such people developed new tools to establish
            connectivity and slowly developed a theory in the bargain.
            So we can say, probably all superstitions could turn
            tomorrow’s science given the right treatment. Relationships
(25)      of Earth with the moon, the sun, the planets were all
            based on superstitions in pre historic times but people
            worked on these superstitions and slowly a real relation
            based on science was derived. All superstitions were shed
            and real theory evolved. So we can say superstitions are
(30)      possibly the mother to most of scientific theories.

  1. Passage 1 talks of science as a quality inspector; passage 2 talks of science as a match maker.

  2. Passage 1 talks of theories alone; passage 2 talks of superstitions alone.

  3. Passage 2 emphasizes connectivity of beliefs; passage 1 deals with connectivity of theories.

  4. Passage 2 believes in human correlation mechanism; passage 1 talks of scientific phenomena.

  5. Passage1 emphasizes human knowledge and expertise to be the basis of all relations; passage 2 treats superstitions as the basis.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Passage 1: Lines 23-26: “Science limits this ambiguity and elucidates that only a few things inter-relate according to a conceptual framework….. Ideas are differentiated, classed and checked before formulation”. Passage 2: Lines 21-22: “Such people developed new tools to establish connectivity”.

Multiple choice labour and its division social stratification labour sociology social inequality

According to Socrates _________.

  1. there are no beliefs that are objectively true, there are no beliefs that are objectively false.

  2. some beliefs are objectively true, some beliefs are objectively false.

  3. no beliefs are objectively true, but some beliefs are objectively false.

  4. some beliefs are objectively true, but no beliefs are objectively false.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Socrates was one of the foremost philosophers of Greece. During his time there was great chaos in the political life of Athens which was a Greek City State. This resulted in the Athenian government condemning Socrates to death because of his teachings. According to Socrates, some beliefs are objectively true, some beliefs are objectively false.

Multiple choice labour and its division social stratification labour sociology social inequality

Plato's Theory of Forms asserts that ______________.

  1. The physical world is really the 'real' world.

  2. Reality exists only in our physical world.

  3. Both A and B

  4. Neither A nor B
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Plato's Theory of Forms asserts that the physical world is not really the 'real' world; instead, ultimate reality exists beyond our physical world. Plato's philosophy asserts that there are two realms: the physical realm and the spiritual realm. The physical realm is the material stuff we see and interact with on a daily basis; this physical realm is changing and imperfect, as we know all too well. The spiritual realm, however, exists beyond the physical realm. Plato calls this spiritual realm the Realm of Forms (also called the Realm of Ideas or Realm of Ideals). Plato's Theory of Forms asserts that the physical realm is only a shadow, or image, of the true reality of the Realm of Forms.

Multiple choice

Choose the best definition for theory

  1. data

  2. map or explanation

  3. history

  4. idea or belief
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

A theory is a system of ideas or a belief intended to explain something, especially one based on general principles independent of the thing to be explained. "Idea or belief" is the closest general definition among the choices.

Multiple choice

Can Scientific theories be changed when new evidence is found?

  1. True

  2. Sometimes

  3. False

  4. Hardly
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Scientific theories are well-supported explanations of natural phenomena, but they are not static. If new, reliable empirical evidence is discovered that contradicts or expands upon an existing theory, the theory is modified or replaced to reflect the new data.

Multiple choice

What does empirical evidence include?

  1. Personal beliefs

  2. Ideas

  3. Observations

  4. Explanations
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Empirical evidence consists of data and information gathered directly through the senses or scientific instruments. Therefore, direct observations are a core component of empirical evidence, unlike subjective ideas, beliefs, or theoretical explanations.

Multiple choice

a study of our method of acquiring knowledge

  1. metaphysics

  2. aesthetics

  3. epistemology

  4. maxim
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Epistemology is the branch of philosophy concerned with the theory of knowledge, exploring its nature, origin, scope, and the methods by which we acquire it.

Multiple choice

Logical positivism means...

  1. Being positive with prior thinking and planning

  2. I can't remember

  3. That is total empiricism based on logic to avoid ambiguity
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Logical positivism is a philosophical movement that holds that only statements verifiable through empirical observation or logical analysis are meaningful.

Multiple choice

What is epistemology?

  1. The current of thinking that states reality can be known only by experience

  2. A discipline that aims to determine the nature of human knowledge

  3. Current that claims everything is matter

  4. Theory, bases knowledge in the learned formation only through experiments
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Epistemology is the branch of philosophy concerned with the nature, scope, and limits of human knowledge.

Multiple choice

Supporters of rational deduction believe that when studying nature, one should?

  1. Rely on sense information only

  2. Reason from the specific to the general

  3. Embrace all accepted truths

  4. Reason from the general to the specific
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Rational deduction, associated with thinkers like Descartes, involves starting with self-evident general principles and using logic to derive specific truths about the world.