Descartes, Locke, Hume, and Kant

For each of the following philosophers (Descartes, Locke, Hume, and Kant), answer the following questions in a manner that clearly distinguishes their theories of knowledge from each other.
(a) What is the source/origin of our knowledge of the external world?

   (b) To what degree can we have knowledge of the external world with certainty?           Why?

  (c) What are the limitations on our knowledge?

2. Define the correspondence, coherence, and pragmatic theories of truth in a manner that distinguishes between the three.
3. Explain Cartesian dualism and provide two distinct criticisms of it.
4. What is the basis for the self according to John Locke?
5. Explain why David Hume argues on empirical grounds we should be skeptical about the existence of a self.
6. Using Jean Paul Sartre and Simone de Beauvoir explain how existentialists think about the self.

Sample Solution