Ancient philosophical influences

Question 1

Aristotle’s understanding of reality

Answer 1

we learn about reality through observation of the physical world.

Question 2

Aristotle is an empiricist, what does this mean?

Answer 2

we gain knowledge primarily through are experience of the world, and we have this experience through our senses.

Question 3

to Aristotle potentiality Is what?

Answer 3

what something can become.

Question 4

To Aristotle actuality is what?

Answer 4

what something is.

Question 5

What does Aristotle believe about the prime mover?

Answer 5

there has to be some sort of prime mover to account for the fact that everything I the physical world is changing.

Question 6

the prime mover is what?

Answer 6

the final cause of the universe.
can only think of its self.
not loving or personal.
transcendent+ separate
It causes change or motion in everything else by attraction- everything in the universe is drawn towards perfection.

Question 7

the prime mover is unmoved what does this mean?

Answer 7

unmoved- pure actuality- it cant be anything other than what it is.

Question 8

cause and action, what is Aristotle’s idea of cause?

Answer 8

action- concept of explanation+ origin

Question 9

teleology

Answer 9

theology, purpose/ goal of universe in terms of ends achieved/ final cause.
— living things- to reach telos= functions eg. goldfish, swim, eat, reproduce.

Question 10

Plato’s rationalism& Aristotle’s Empiricism

Answer 10

No- evidence for world of forms- pure speculation.

sense experience lets us down- have to rely on reason logic.

Question 11

sense experience is what?

Answer 11

scientific experience- scientific value- eg by medical experiences.

Question 12

What is Aristotle on Plato- 3rd main argument?

Answer 12

is there a form of a form? if so, is there a form of form of a form?

Question 13

problems with the four causes?

Answer 13

the material cause- doesn’t odd anything/ can be assumed.

not everything has a final cause- evolution+ random chance

Question 14

platos form of good?

Answer 14

Form of good participates in all other forms- shows us the extent to which something lacks perfection.

Question 15

What does the form of good enable?

Answer 15

the form of good enables- true sight of other objective- as represented by the sun in the analogy of the cave.

Question 16

what is the analogy of the sun?

Answer 16

things”grow” towards the sun- they “grow” in goodness.

Question 17

The form of good is at the top of what?

Answer 17

The top of the hierarchy.

Question 18

Plato saw forms as being what?

Answer 18

hierarchical

Question 19

How does plato see reality?

Answer 19

there is 2 worlds-
the world of particulars aka the sensible world- the world is in constant change.
- the world of forms- eg.- super sensible world.- world of ideas, where certain knowledge is possible.

Question 20

what does plato say about the natural world?

Answer 20

is in constant state of lux- can know nothing through sense experience- Plato= rationalist.

Question 21

Platos analogy of the cave is what?

Answer 21

It is republic- is a dialogue between Socrates+ Glaucon
=Plato’s epistemology
theory of knowledge- cave- sensible world.- prisoners bound by neck- humane

Question 22

sun is what?

Answer 22

a form of good

Question 23

the return of the prisoner is what?

Answer 23

philosophers duty to teach others about nature of duty.

Question 24

prisoner leaves the cave and is enlightened by what?

Answer 24

by the form of good, giving him knowledge of the world as it really is.

Question 25

the physical cave represents what?

Answer 25

demonstrates how knowledge gained through the senses if often partial or misleading.