I Kant Even
What is a hypothetical imperative? Name the two kinds.
Problematic - Conditional (if you want x, you must do y)
Assertoric or Counsel of Prudence - Advice
What is Lindsey Brainard's idea of epistemic value? Can ChatGPT provide us with this?
Epistemic value is the kind of value characteristic of achievements like true belief, knowledge, and understanding.
Yes, it can pass this condition, but not all conditions for creativity
Explain Heidegger's Rhine River example.
The Rhine River can be viewed instrumentally or poetically (as a bringing forth)
Arendt rejected the cog theory. Why?
Cogs are transformed back into individuals when in court. No criminal can use the fact "someone else would have done it" as a defense, he has to answer for his specific crimes.
Explain Aristotle's golden mean.
The intermediate point between two extremes of character (I.e. courage is between recklessness and cowardice)
DAILY DOUBLE
How does duty actually make us more free, according to Kant?
Kant believes that true freedom isn’t being able to do whatever you want. Instead, he thinks we are most free when we act from the laws we give ourselves (i.e., the formulations of the categorical imperative).
Explain the dollhouse example with regards to creativity.
1. Follows instructions in a book - we wouldn't think of this carpenter as creative
2. Comes up with something new through experimentation and trial/error - this is truly creative
JSM says happiness is:
Presence of pleasure and absence of pain
What is the fallacy of physiognomy?
Taking something's external appearance to indicate its inner character
What is an involuntary action?
For Aristotle, an involuntary action is one done under compulsion (force) or due to ignorance of some particular fact about the action. These actions lack moral responsibility because the agent isn't the true source.
What is an imperfect duty?
Imperfect Duties are morally binding but don’t always require you to act on them, depending on context.
What is the black box problem?
It is unclear how AI comes to the outcomes that it does. Processes are hidden because the code/ML algorithms are proprietary.
Why does Socrates reject the opinion of the majority in the Crito? (Hint: He gives an analogy)
Athletes should listen to their trainers
We should listen to our doctors concerning medical issues
Trust a professional in their field over the public, because they actually have expertise
What is the banality of evil?
Evil that derives from thoughtlessness
Lack of ability to think from another's perspective
Ordinary people and not monsters commit horrendous evil because they fail to examine their actions
What is the difference between distributive and restorative justice?
Distributive justice is about fairly sharing resources (wealth, opportunities) in a society, ensuring everyone gets their "fair share," while restorative justice focuses on repairing harm after wrongdoing
Explain the difference between the phenomenal and noumenal realms.
The sensible world – The world of phenomena which I perceive
The intelligible world – The world of ‘things in themselves’ independent of perception. Equally unknowable for everyone
What is the attributability gap?
Unclear who to assign authorship or ownership of AI's output
Explain Searle's Chinese Room experiment and what it shows.
Syntax vs. semantics
The person doesn't know Chinese.
What did Arendt have to say about the idea "there might be an Eichmann in all of us?"
She did not think this was true. Eichmann may have chosen to abet evil but not everyone would. We are all unique and different and bring something new to the world. We can't view human nature as a monolith.
Explain Aristotle's 4 causes with reference to the silver chalice in Heidegger's QCT.
Hint - Heidegger offers a new interpretation
In his essay "The Question Concerning Technology" (QCT), Heidegger uses the example of a silver chalice to explain Aristotle's four causes, interpreting the Greek word
aition not as "cause" in the modern sense of "bringing about an effect," but rather as that which is "responsible" or "indebted" for bringing something into appearance (poiesis).
1. Material Cause - Actual materials used, like silver
2. Formal Cause - Design of the cup (shape, plan for its structure)
3. Efficient Cause - Silversmith or person who brought it into existence
4. Final Cause - the cup's purpose as a religious ritual item
Give all three formulations of the categorical imperative.
1. ACT ONLY ACCORDING TO THAT MAXIM THROUGH WHICH YOU CAN AT THE SAME TIME WILL THAT IT SHOULD BECOME UNIVERSAL LAW
2. ACT IN SUCH A WAY THAT YOU ALWAYS TREAT HUMANITY WHETHER IN YOUR OWN PERSON OR IN THE PERSON OF ANY OTHER NEVER SIMPLY AS A MEANS BUT ALWAYS AT THE SAME TIME AS AN END
3. ACT AS IF THROUGH YOUR MAXIMS, YOU WERE A LAW-MAKING MEMBER OF THE KINGDOM OF ENDS
DAILY DOUBLE
Woudenberg gives 5 criteria for what makes 'normal writing' intentional. Give us all 5 and explain.
1. Not due to chance
2. About something in particular
3. About something content wise
4. Written for an audience
5. Ends obtained more than writing
What does Kant say autonomy of the will is vs. heteronomy of the will?
Heteronomy - following external influences
Who was Anton Schmid and what is his story meant to show?
Officer who helped the Jewish resistance at the cost of his own life.
Story contrasts with Eichmann's and shows we all have choices.
What is the difference between politics and ethics for Aristotle?
Politics - Societal
Ethics - Individual