contributers Flashcards
Plato
Theory of Forms: Reality comprises a material world of changing forms and an eternal, unchanging world of Forms (Ideas).
Human Essence: Definable by understanding their “essence” in the realm of Forms.
Material vs Eternal World: Imperfect material world vs perfect, intelligible world of Forms.
Allegory of the Cave: Symbolizes the journey from ignorance to knowledge through discovering true reality.
Division of the Soul: Three parts—rational (reason), spirit (emotion), appetitive (desires); reason should govern for justice.
Censorship of Art: Advocates control over art due to its influence on the soul.
Aristotle
Teleology: Study of goal-oriented behavior; understanding requires knowledge of ultimate goals or telos.
Types of Souls: Rational soul unique to humans, governing actions by reason and virtue.
Ethics and Virtue: Eudaimonia (human flourishing) through rational, virtuous activity; virtue as a mean between excess and deficiency (Golden Mean).
Dualism of the Soul: Distinguishes rational and irrational parts of the soul.
Practical Wisdom: Practical and philosophical wisdom as ultimate goals of human understanding.
Descartes
Methodological Doubt: Radical doubt to find indubitable truths; skepticism towards senses and perceptions.
Foundationalism: Starts with self-evident truths (Cogito, ergo sum) as foundation for knowledge.
Mind-Body Dualism: Radical separation between mind (immaterial, thinking) and body (material, extended).
Objective Reality: Emphasizes distinction between quantifiable, measurable reality (objective) and subjective experience (thoughts, feelings)
St. Augustine
Immaterialism: God and soul as immaterial; reality transcends material world.
Critique of Materialism: Challenges idea of reality as solely material and accessible through senses.
Eternal Truths: Belief in truths beyond material realm
CLASSICAL IDEALISM
Berkeley
Subjective/modern Idealism: Reality exists within the mind; external world is a collection of perceptions
No evidence for the existence of of anything outside the conscience mind and its ideas and perceptions (mental sensations)
Not denying the reality of the world - just denying that the world can be independent of the mind → only exists as subjective reality
The external world is a collection of perceptions which we mistakenly call ‘physical reality
Subjective Idealism: “To be is to be perceived”; denies external existence independent of perception.
Objective Idealism: Ideas exist in objective state; reality manifestation of higher consciousness.
Phenomenology (Husserl and Heidegger)
Phenomenological Reduction: Suspension of beliefs to study appearances; consciousness’ intentionality.
Existentialism (Heidegger): Emphasis on Dasein (existence), authenticity vs. inauthenticity, human experience of being.
Kierkegaard
Existentialism: Emphasizes individual existence, subjective truth, personal responsibility.
Leap of Faith: Faith in uncertainty; subjective truth essential for authentic existence.
Critique of Objective Thought: Challenges objective truths, emphasizes personal experience.
Sartre
Existentialism: Emphasizes individual freedom, responsibility, absence of inherent meaning.
Consciousness and Being: Reflective consciousness central to human existence.
Bad Faith: Avoidance of personal responsibility, authenticity.
Thomas Hobbes
measurable matter is all there is on the universe
Materialism implies:
Seeks answers through objective methodology (scientific method)
Deterministic → believes that every event has a cause
Denies any form of supernatural belief
Reductionistic → explains the whole in terms of its parts
Chervaka philosophers
eastern materialism → rejected idea of God
what is real we can access with our five senses
Democitris
western materialism → Democitris → guy who thought of the atom
