Skepticism Quiz 21/11/2019

1) How, according to Sextus Empiricus, did Skepticism as a method and a way

of life emerge? (2 points)

2) Explain what a “mode” of Skeptical reasoning is and then name and briefly
explain the five “modes” of Agrippa the Skeptic. (4 points)

3) What is the “Münchhausen Trilemma” and which of the “modes” of Agrippa

form a part of it? (2 points)

4) Which of the five “modes” of Agrippa could be used to criticize the following
claim:

“All knowledge is scientific because all nonscientific claims are not really
knowledge.” (2 points)
Writing a philosophy essay
Some guidelines and suggestions
Bac/Exam essay task:
You must respond to the compulsory question by constructing a coherent
philosophical essay. You should express your point of view based on the
philosophy that you have studied and on your personal, cultural
experiences and academic knowledge.

You should establish links between the compulsory question and the text,
[and at least two of the four philosophical domains that you have studied].
You can also freely use the other documents and the guiding questions.
Criteria
● The identification of key philosophical problem(s)
● The construction and justification of autonomous view [your own position]
● The rational use of academic knowledge
● The degree of philosophical reflection and analysis
● [The links between ideas and examples within at least two philosophical
domains]
● The links between the theoretical/conceptual, and contemporary experience,
culture, etc.
● The relevant use of philosophical terminology
Essay structure
1. Intro ([opener/attention catcher], appropriation of the
question, thesis, preview)
2. Main body (text interpretation, academic knowledge, own
view [arguments/evaluation/analysis])
3. Conclusion (recapitulation, restatement of thesis, [closer/
finishing touch])
Introduction:
1) Opener/attention catcher: A quote, an anecdote - avoid clichés, like “This
question has been discussed by philosophers for 2500 years” etc.
2) Make the question your own (appropriation): Explain how you
understand/interpret the question, and why it is an interesting/relevant
question (again, try to avoid clichés)
3) Thesis: the gist of your answer to the essay question (can be foreshadowed,
but better make it explicit)
4) Preview: Give the reader a preview of the main ideas you will discuss in the
main body
Main body
1) Interpretation of the text (either in one block [safe] or interspersed throughout the
essay [challenging])

TIP: Start your main body with the text analysis. You can refer back to it further down in your
essay if appropriate

2) Academic knowledge: Present your knowledge of philosophic ideas, theories, and

authors

TIP: Always comment on/analyze/evaluate the ideas you are presenting, don’t just rattle
them off

3) Own view/position: your answer to the question, supported by arguments, examples,

analysis

TIP: Leave your position for the end, but provide the analysis/arguments that will support it
along the way, when you present/discuss academic knowledge (philosophic ideas/theories)
1) Interpretation of the text

- Identify key quotes you can use in your interpretation

- Don’t just quote them: analyze/explain what they mean
and why they are important
- Be concise, but don’t leave out important points
- Make sure you analyze what the text has to say about
the essay question!!!
- Give your own view on the position taken by the text or
the point made by the text
1) Academic knowledge

- Make sure the ideas/theories/authors you discuss are

relevant to the essay question
- Provide your own analysis/critique of the position you are
describing: Do you agree with it? Why? Why not? Why
partially?
- By stating your own position as it relates to the ideas you
are discussing, you build up to the proper, systematic
statement of your own position (at the end of the main
body)
1) Own view/position:

- Make sure your position in fact addresses the essay

question!!!
- Don’t make it too short: you can repeat some points you
made during your analysis of the text and the academic
knowledge you discuss. Make your whole case.
- Use arguments and suitable examples (from your own life,
from movies, books, etc.)
- Be genuine! Don’t make this into an academic
exercise. Really say what you think about the issue!
Two different models of arguing your position
1) Start from a clear thesis statement (in the introduction) and then
systematically support that thesis throughout the essay

TIP: After every section/paragraph, analyze how it helps you support your thesis

Advantage of model: very straightforward and easier to execute

2) Don’t state your thesis too clearly, but only foreshadow it (in the introduction)
and lead up to it throughout your essay, stating it clearly only at the end (of
the main body

TIP: After every paragraph leave hints/foreshadow where you are going to take
this, how it will support your own view

Advantage of model: More elegant/engaging the reader, but harder to pull off
Conclusion
1) Recapitulate your main points summing up how they
support your thesis
2) Restate your thesis in different words and make clear
how it is supported by your main points
3) [Closer/finishing touch]: Again, a quote or anecdote that
illustrates your thesis, a piece of personal reflection on the
process of thinking through this question…
Example subsection (of main body) outline
You can have a subsection in one long paragraph or across several shorter paragraphs, both are fine.

1) Academic knowledge: Plato’s argument in favor of

philosopher kings (state his position, give examples, etc.)
2) Own view: Your analysis/evaluation of Plato’s position: Do
you agree? Why/why not?
3) Analysis: What does this discussion contribute to your
answering the essay question?
4) Transition to next point (e.g. Aristotle’s argument for the
“wisdom of the multitude”)