Introduction to Ethics
Part 1: Reasoning
Evangel University
Spring 2004
Professor Douglas F. Olena
Epistemology
Pistis ‚Greek for believe, trust, rely on. The same word is used in John 3:16 äwhosoever believes in himä
For Plato (B.C. 427-347) knowledge was justified true belief.
He meant by „justified¾ that he had reasons that were sufficient for him to trust that his beliefs were true.
The Web of Belief
W.V.O. Quine and J.S. Ullian describe for us a way of classifying our beliefs in such a way as to give greater weight to some than others.
There are two sorts of belief, Core Beliefs and Peripheral Beliefs (as well as gradations between those types)
These beliefs are connected and interconnected with each other.
The Web of Belief
The Web of Belief
We need to feel free to abandon beliefs that we discover to be untrue. 
It is trivial to abandon beliefs at the outside of our web, for example: I can abandon easily the belief that the Dallas Cowboys are the best football team this year.
However, to abandon beliefs near the core may require dramatic restructuring of my belief system. Say, my belief that I am in God¼s will.
Learning Process
Confronting disturbing facts leads to doubt leads to unresolved beliefs leads to accumulation of facts and reasons leads to resolution of belief in new form ãLearning.
State of mind: Suspension of Belief until enough relevant data and ideas have been absorbed leads to possible insight.
Waiting for insight is hard work.
Four Methods of Fixing Belief
Authority- the state, church, schoolä declares that set of beliefs (x, y, z,ä) is the approved set. People holding contrary beliefs may leave.
Tenacity- I will hold to my belief no matter what anyone says, thinks or demonstrates. 
Four Methods of Fixing Belief
A-Priori- conceiving a principle, either simple or complicated (early astronomy) that is logical and coherent (evolutionary biology, Lamarck or Darwin) though perhaps not mature or yet discredited. Ex: Before we knew about the element Oxygen we believed there was something in the air, a burning principle,Phlogiston. 
Four Methods of Fixing Belief
Scientific Method‚ 
	Empirical
	Reproducible
	Testable