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(8) What does it mean to say that a question is a metaphysical question, and wha

ID: 3488539 • Letter: #

Question

(8) What does it mean to say that a question is a metaphysical question, and what does it mean to say that a question is an epistemological question? Give an example of each. What does formalism say about the nature of mathematics, and what is one problem for formalism? (8) What does it mean to say that a question is a metaphysical question, and what does it mean to say that a question is an epistemological question? Give an example of each. What does formalism say about the nature of mathematics, and what is one problem for formalism?

Explanation / Answer

Example:

Metaphysical question Epistemological question When we ask questions about what is real, we are asking metaphysical questions. These questions arise naturally when there is some doubt about a claim which a rational person is being asked to believe.

Example:

  • What sorts of things are real vs appearances?
  • Are there material objects?
  • Are there mathematical objects?

  • What distinguishes knowledge from mere belief?
  • What can be known with certainty?
  • How can we know if we have knowledge?