Pick ONE of the TWO following options to respond to, either Option (a) or Option (b). Your essay will need to
answer all of the sub-questions under that option, which will likely take at least 4 paragraphs.
Remember to cite all sources, including Lectures and the Textbook, as part of good scholarship.
Option (a) Explain the differences between Goldman’s causal theory of knowledge (not reliabilism) and
Nozick’s theory of knowledge.
What common problem are both Goldman and Nozick trying to resolve?
What do their views have in common?
What does Goldman’s theory argue for? What arguments are given in favor of it, either by Goldman or by
Feldman?
What does Nozick’s theory argue? What arguments are given in favor of it, either by Nozick or by Feldman?
In what ways do the two theories differ?
What objections to Goldman and to Nozick does Feldman raise?
In your judgement, is either non-evidentialist theory better than evidentialism? Why or why not?
Option (b) Explain Plantinga’s notion of ‘Warrant’. Be sure to answer all of the following sub-questions,
although you need not answer them in the order given below.
According to Plantinga (or Feldman), what are the conditions you need to meet in order to have warrant (or
justification) on the proper function theory?
How does reliabilism relate to the proper function theory?
How does warrant (or justification) relate to the notion of proper function on Plantinga’s view?
What is a ‘proper function’? Why does Plantinga believe we should think it exists?
What arguments does Plantinga offer for his position?
What objections to Proper Function theory does Feldman raise?
In your judgement, are there any arguments that could be given against Proper Function theory that Feldman
doesn’t raise? Are there any arguments for Proper Function theory that Feldman doesn’t bring up?
Sample Solution
