How do your beliefs get formed? Are there good or bad ways to form your beliefs? Why should it matter how we form our beliefs, just so long as we end up with beliefs that are true? In today’s class we will focus on these questions, and find some pretty compelling arguments for the claim that there are good ways, and bad ways, that we can form our beliefs. After class today, you will:
1. Be able to describe ways in which true beliefs differ from knowledge.
2. Be able to explain how intellectual curiosity and carefulness are central to how we should form our beliefs, especially regarding people and things that matter to us.
3. Begin thinking about how to better cultivate intellectual curiosity and carefulness.
Consider the following questions, write your responses in your journal, and talk about them with a friend:
1. Describe some times in your life in which being a little more intellectually curious, or a little more intellectually careful, was beneficial for you and/or loved ones?
2. Why should we believe that people who are not intellectually curious or careful are missing out on ‘epistemic goods’ (like knowledge)?
3. Give one or two examples of someone you admire who displays intellectual curiosity or intellectual carefulness.