General philosophy Flashcards
Prudential Reason
A reasoning (like Pascal’s wager) which justifies a good reason to believe something based on its prudence but not on evidence.
Burden of proof
Extreme claims require extreme evidence. Otherwise we can justify believing in almost anything.
Argument from inappropriate authority
Drawing examples from non credible non qualified people or things.
Jurisprudence
Philosophy of law
How did John Austin describe his Command Theory of Law?
He saw law as a series of commands backed by threats
What is John Austins seminal work?
The Providence of Jurisprudence Determined
Who is the father of modern legal philosophy?
H.L.A Hart
Primary rule (according to HLA Hart)
Tell us what to do and what NOT to do
Secondary rules
Rules about rules
What is a legal positivist? Like Jeremy Bentham and John Austin?
Laws should be understood as passed by those in authority and not necessarily with a moral foundation.
Explain Thomas Aquinas natural law.
at. ius naturale, lex naturalis) is a philosophy that certain rights or values are inherent by virtue of human nature and can be universally understood through human reason.
What does Camus call the world when it can’t be explained in a rational manner?
Absurd
Why is Sysiphis happy?
Because he has accepted the absurdity of his life.
How did Alsebeides describe Socrates in the symposium?
Satyr Silenus
Which is ugly on the outside but when opened is beautiful.
Why does Kant say that human knowledge is finite?
Because it relies on the appearance of the object through an act of receptivity (sensory) and infinite intellectual intuition would be able to generate itself.
What did Descartes call his process of skepticism?
Systemic doubt
Closed society
Social customs are especially rigid and not open to criticism
The right way is enforced through taboos and magical tribal institutions
Open Society
Open to rational reflection
A free critical exchange of ideas leaves them free and more flexible than a closed society (free and open public discussion)
Where does John Locke say political authority comes from?
From consent of the people
What is Pure Reason?
Use of Reason without relying upon or presupposing experience.