Essential Vocab For Philosophy

Question 1

Logic

Answer 1

The structure of ideas and arguments. The primary concern is not whether a particular argument is true but whether it is structured to yield true conclusions.

Question 2

Metaphysics

Answer 2

What is it for something to exist.

Question 3

Epistemology

Answer 3

What we claim to know (the theory of knowledge). There are two types of knowledge priori and posteriori.

Question 4

The principle of non-contradiction

Answer 4

For example, to say that a triangle is not triangular would be contradicting ourselves.

Question 5

Syllogism

Answer 5

A syllogism is the basic structure of an argument. A syllogism has 3 elements: a major premise, minor premise and a conclusion.
E.g. All P are Q (major)
R is P (minor)
Therefore, R is Q (conclusion)

Question 6

Deductive argument

Answer 6

Is an argument that gives true conclusions when the premises are true.

Question 7

Identity

Answer 7

The basic truth that X=X

E.g. 2+2=4 (we know that the second 2 is the first as the first)

Question 8

Excluded middle

Answer 8

Everything either has a quality or the negative of that quality. It cannot have both.
E.g. Either I am human or I am not.

Question 9

A Priori

Answer 9

This refers to knowledge which can be known prior to experience. It is not dependent on sense experience but upon the meaning of words.
E.g. “a circle is round” is true by definition.

Question 10

A posteriori

Answer 10

Knowledge which is dependent on sense experience (something learned through one of the five senses)
For example, I learn there is an odour through smelling it.