Socrates
Philosophy
Plato
Philosophers
Philosophers pt 2
100
What value does Socrates see in studying philosophy?
Philosophy should achieve results for the greater well-being of society.
100
What are some questions relevant to each branch?
Metaphysics: Who was really the first person on earth? cavemen or Adam and Eve?
Epistemology: What can we know? Are there any limits to our knowledge?
Axiology: Would the world be better if we had no internet?
100
What is Plato’s “Divided Line” hierarchy of reality?
The sensible realm and the intelligible realm; a division between Body and Mind
100
What are some differences between the Atomist ideas of Democritus and Epicurus?
Democritus: the world consists of nothing but atoms. (indivisible chunks of matter) in empty space (which he seems to have thought. of as an entity in its own right).
Epicurus: he postulated an absolute up-down direction in space so that all atoms fall in roughly parallel paths.
100
What are the major differences between Hard Determinism and Soft Determinism/ Compatibilism?
Hard determinism is the proposition that there could be no free will in a determined world and the actual world is determined
Compatibilism is the proposition that there could be free will in a determined world.
200
How do the events of his life reflect his views?
Fearing death is a sign of ignorance. Death is not a great evil, but the greatest of all goods. He held to his values, wisdom, and justice.
200
Define Philosophy
The study of the basic ideas about knowledge, truth, right and wrong, religion, and the nature and meaning of life
200
How does Plato’s “Allegory of the Cave” express his view of reality?
The shadows represent the false reality the prisoners experience, the fire is a metaphor for the Sun, the ultimate truth, the form of the good.
200
Describe Epicurus’ idea of the “swerve.”
holds that atoms may deviate from their expected course, thus permitting humans to possess free will in an otherwise deterministic universe
200
What are Thomas Aquinas’ arguments for the existence of God? Are any of them convincing? Why or why not?
1. From motion (change; First Mover who initiates change without being moved by anything else), 2. from causation (First Cause; something that brings it into existence), 3. from contingency (Necessary Being; it could either exist or not exist), 4. From gradation (Ultimate good; observes that things in the world exist in varying degrees of goodness, truth, and nobility), 5. From design (Designer; the natural world shows evidence of design, particularly in the way things act towards ends or purposes)
300
Who were the "Pre-Socratics?"
A group of Greek philosophers whose primary concern was to find unity and order in the midst of a world of variety and constant change
300
What are Plato’s “Forms?”
Plato reasoned that the forms or unchanging basic realities concerning all things must not be located within this world. The real world is a world of ideas.
300
What does George Berkeley mean when he states, “Esse est percipi,” or “to be is to be perceived?” Describe his version of subjective Idealism.
For an object to exist, it must be perceived by some mind. The only thing our senses perceive are qualities, and nothing more.
300
After leaving his philosophy class, Jimmy began to believe that matter is the only thing that really exists. Which metaphysical theory best describes Jimmy’s beliefs, and which philosopher discussed in class best aligns with Jimmy’s view?
Metaphysical theory. Democritus argued that everything in the universe is composed of tiny particles called atoms.
400
How did ideas of the Pre-Socratics influence our modern understanding of the world?
They paved the way for scientific methodology
400
How do the Forms relate to the physical objects of our everyday experience?
We can make sense of dog, for example, because beyond the differences found among spaniels, poodles, and retrievers, there is a form of dog that accounts for knowing dog and being as dog
400
Describe Arthur Schopenhauer’s concept of the “Will.” What is it, and why does it cause suffering?
All nature, including man, is the expression of an insatiable will. Desire for more is what causes this suffering.
500
Which aspects of reality are at the top, above the line? Which are below the line? Which parts does he consider the most “real?"
500
Does Schopenhauer offer any relief from the relentless suffering caused by the Will?
His outlook does not offer hope or redemption but rather a sober acceptance of life's harsh truths. He presents a rather bleak view where the best one can do is minimize suffering through ascetic practices or aesthetic contemplation