Final Exam Prep

Question 1

Aristotle’s universe has no need and no place for any concept of _____, ______ in which bodies are placed, but only for ____

Answer 1

space, empty space, place

Question 2

Space is a ______ being, a mental construct of __________ construction, which cannot exist in a real being. However, it does have a _________________________

Answer 2

mental, mathematical, valid foundation in the real world

Question 3

Why is space a mental being?

Answer 3

It is devoid of action, a key criterion of a real being

Question 4

Can time be only a subjective movement of our human consciousness (Einstein)?

Answer 4

No

Question 5

What has gone wrong with such a view?

Answer 5

take a static mathematical abstraction and mistakes it for an adequate model of existing dynamic reality

Question 6

The Principle of Causality works in that (1) every being must have the sufficient reason (_____________________) for its own real existence ___________________ (if in ____, no further questions), and (2) if in another then it must have its sufficient reason in another, something else in the order of real being.

Answer 6

the adequate grounding of its intelligibility, in itself or in another, itself

Question 7

What are Aquinas’ 5 proofs (summarized)?

Answer 7

Motion
Nature of efficient causes
Possible and the necessary
Gradation
Governance of things

Question 8

Modern scientists might deny final causation because it is __________ to __________________ the final cause at work until _______________

Answer 8

impossible, observe empirically, the effect is produced

Question 9

What are the principle metaphysical problems raised by the scientific theory of emergent evolution?

Answer 9

The metaphysical problem comes from upholding the Principle of Sufficient Reason.

How can evolution be occurring while also upholding that no effect is greater than its cause? Is there intervention from a higher cause? And if such is needed, from what source does it come?

Question 10

Reductive materialism states that higher levels of beings are __________________, without any new intrinsic unities with qualitatively new properties.

Answer 10

just new collections of lower level elements now in a new combination

Question 11

Reductive materialism does not address _________ that we see come about through evolution.

Answer 11

more complex beings

Question 12

Emergentism: (of the 20th century) states that higher beings _______________-

Answer 12

emerge from the lower with no further cause needed

Question 13

Emergentism does not uphold the ____________

Answer 13

Principle of Sufficient Reason

Question 14

Naturalism: states that nature is _____ and has everything within it from the beginning of creation to evolve into what we have now.

Answer 14

self-sufficient

Question 15

Naturalism addresses _________ in evolution but not ____________

Answer 15

small steps, big steps

Question 16

What is the Thomistic view on evolution?

Answer 16

Creation of the material world by God is an ongoing process, not just a one-time event

Question 17

Beauty as a transcendental is defined as _________________________

Answer 17

that which when contemplated gives delight

Question 18

Beauty as a transcendental applies to ____________________ (in other properties, it applies to _____________).

Answer 18

both the intellect and the will; just one or the other

Question 19

The defining characteristics of beauty are ____________

Answer 19

Unity
Harmony
Splendor/radiance.

Question 20

Why should beauty be included in the transcendentals?

Answer 20

1) every being must have inner coherence of unity and harmony and shine forth with a certain splendor and
2) it is different from being a type of good because it is irreducible from anything else we experience. It is special/unique.

Question 21

The objective ground of the good in the relative order is ___________________

The objective ground of the good in the __________

Answer 21

that which fulfills in some significant way its own natural potentialities; absolute order

Question 22

what is the basic meaning of good?

Answer 22

that which is in some way loveable

Question 23

what is the more full definition of good?

Answer 23

a being is good if it possesses some positive quality that renders it apt or worthy to be valued by some valuer

Question 24

a being is good if it possesses some _________ that renders it ______________ by some valuer

Answer 24

positive quality, apt or worthy to be valued

Question 25

The good appears as the ________ in being to our _______________ of desiring/loving/valuing/admiring. The relational aspect means that it needs to be ___________________ than it in itself without reference to anything else (_________________)

Answer 25

objective correlate, subjective inner dynamism, good for something , this would be a mode of being or perfection

Question 26

Simplicity
-God as the ________-; no body moves itself without itself being moved (there was no other mover to make God)
-________________
-It is impossible for _____ to be in God, as there is _______________
-God is not only His _________________

Answer 26

-first mover
-actuality/potentiality
-no potentiality in God
-essence but His existence

Question 27

in regarding to immutability:

Answer 27

no potentiality in God; only actuality