How do we know what we know?

Do you feel that we learn and perceive reality totally from our senses, or is it from rational assumptions based on prior facts that we already know to be true.

Is it our senses, or is it logic that brings us truth?  If its logic, what is it based on?

2012 Question 3

Note the following two extremes:

1) Hitler had about 6 million Jewish people killed because he wanted to "purify" the race.  What Hitler did to the Jewish people in the 40's is considered "universally" as an "immoral" action.  I think everyone can agree that any attempt to exterminate a race of people is "always" wrong.


2) In the 60's many young men had hair that was very long.  Some people felt that this was "immoral".

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Questions:  Are some things/actions universally immoral or moral?  How many of these things/actions are there, if there are?

I would challenge you to try answering this philosophically "advanced" by connecting to the readings about Kant, and by implementing "maxims" "imperatives" and the conflict between "moral actions" and "prudent actions"...............

2012 Questions

1) For the seniors and anyone else who wants to comment: What was the purpose of the Lemon Exercise?

2) For the juniors and anyone else who wants to comment:  What daily battle between free will vs. determinism do you see going on daily in school and in American society?