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Difficulty: Very hardPoint at Issue and Point of Agreement

Philosopher A: We are epistemically justified in relying on our memory beliefs only because they systematically cohere with our present sensory perceptions and the reliable testimony of others. Because the faculty of memory is intrinsically fallible, a memory belief isolated from this network of external corroboration lacks any epistemic warrant.

Philosopher B: It is undeniable that memory is an intrinsically fallible faculty. However, demanding external corroboration to justify every memory belief precipitates an infinite regress, since interpreting sensory perceptions or comprehending testimony implicitly relies on working memory. Consequently, some memory beliefs must possess an intrinsic epistemic warrant that is independent of external corroboration.

Which of the following best describes the point of disagreement between Philosopher A and Philosopher B?

  1. Whether an isolated memory belief can possess epistemic warrant independently of corroboration from other evidentiary sources.Answer
  2. B
    Whether the human faculty of memory is an intrinsically fallible cognitive mechanism.
  3. C
    Whether interpreting present sensory perceptions and comprehending testimony implicitly rely upon working memory.
  4. D
    Whether sensory perceptions and the testimony of others provide an entirely infallible foundation for epistemic justification.
  5. E
    Whether a memory belief that systematically coheres with present sensory perceptions and reliable testimony is necessarily epistemically justified.

Answer

The philosophers disagree on whether an isolated memory belief can possess epistemic warrant independently of corroboration from other evidentiary sources.
The correct answer identifies the exact point of logical conflict between the two speakers. Philosopher A explicitly states that a memory belief isolated from external corroboration 'lacks any epistemic warrant.' Philosopher B explicitly counters this by concluding that 'some memory beliefs must possess an intrinsic epistemic warrant that is independent of external corroboration.' Thus, they directly disagree on whether such independent epistemic warrant is possible.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze Philosopher A's argument.
Philosopher A asserts that memory beliefs are justified ONLY through external corroboration (perceptions and testimony), and explicitly concludes that an isolated memory belief lacks epistemic warrant.
To identify Philosopher A's core conclusion and constraints regarding memory justification.
2
Analyze Philosopher B's argument.
Philosopher B asserts that requiring external corroboration for every memory belief causes an infinite regress, concluding that some memory beliefs must possess intrinsic epistemic warrant independent of external corroboration.
To identify Philosopher B's core conclusion and how it conceptually interacts with Philosopher A's claims.
3
Compare the two positions to find the explicit point of conflict.
Philosopher A claims NO isolated memory belief has independent warrant. Philosopher B claims SOME memory beliefs DO have independent warrant without external corroboration.
The correct answer to a 'Point at Issue' question must be a statement that one speaker explicitly affirms and the other explicitly denies.

Key Concept

Point at Issue and Point of Agreement
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Point at Issue and Point of Agreement

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