Lesson 0: Exam Pointers Flashcards
Philosophy comes from
the greek term philos and sophia
philo means
love
sophia means
wisdom
the pursuit of wisdom through asking fundamental questions about life, existence, knowledge, and ethics.
philosophy
philosophers strive to understand
deeper truths about the world and human nature
involves asking critical, probing questions to stimulate deeper thinking and discussion
socratic method
socrates famously said
the unexamined life is not worth living
This encourages individuals to reflect on their lives, their beliefs, and their choices.
“the unexamined life is not worth living” - socrates
constantly questioning, Socrates believed we could
achieve greater clarity and wisdom
involves viewing issues and problems in their entirety, taking all aspects into account
holistic thinking
focuses on isolated parts without considering the whole.
partial thinking
essential in philosophy as it allows for a more comprehensive understanding of complex issues.
holistic thinking
about deeply considering and analyzing our thoughts, actions, and experiences
philosophical reflection
It’s a way to examine the nature of reality, human behavior, and existence.
reflection
helps us gain insights into ourselves and the world, promoting a more thoughtful approach to life.
reflection
a philosophical movement that focuses on individual freedom, choice, and responsibility.
existentialism
it emphasizes that humans create their own meaning in life through the decisions they make.
existentialism
This perspective encourages personal authenticity and living in accordance with one’s true self, even in the face of life’s uncertainties.
existentialism
how is philosophy and science similar
they are both ways of understanding the world
how is philosophy and science different
their approaches
philosophy is based on
reasoning and conceptual analysis
science relies on
empirical evidence and experimentation
philosophy asks
deeper why questions about meaning and existence
science focuses on
how things happen in the natural world
logical fallacies
ad hominem, false cause, appeal to force, equivocation fallacy
appeal to force is also known as
ad baculum
This fallacy occurs when someone attacks the person making an argument rather than addressing the argument itself.
ad hominem fallacy
It shifts focus away from the issue at hand by criticizing the person’s character or motive, which is irrelevant to the logic of the argument.
ad hominem fallacy
assumes a cause-and-effect relationship between two unrelated events.
false cause fallacy
Just because one event follows another, it does not mean the first caused the second.
false cause fallacy
This is a common error in reasoning and can lead to faulty conclusions.
false cause fallacy
occurs when someone uses threats or intimidation instead of logic to win an argument.
appeal to force (ad baculum)
Rather than providing rational reasons, the speaker tries to coerce agreement through fear.
appeal to force (ad baculum)
involves using a word with multiple meanings ambiguously in an argument, leading to a misleading or false conclusion.
equivocation fallacy
This is often done unintentionally but can also be used deliberately to confuse or deceive.
equivocation fallacy
philosophy perspectives
docta ignorantia; gabriel marcel’s primary and secondary reflection; human person as an embodied spirit; importance of examining life
docta ignorantia translated to
learned ignorance
It reflects Socrates’ famous admission that true wisdom lies in recognizing the limits of one’s knowledge
docta ignorantia
Socrates believed that acknowledging one’s ignorance is the first step toward gaining deeper understanding.
docta ignorantia
looks at experiences in a straightforward, surface-level way, focusing on the facts.
primary reflection
goes deeper, trying to understand the meaning behind experiences
secondary reflection
It is essential in philosophy to not just look at things as they appear but to understand the underlying essence.
Gabriel Marcel’s Primary and Secondary Reflection
suggests that humans are both physical (body) and non-physical (spirit), and these two aspects are inseparable.
concept of the embodied spirit
the tangible form through which our spirit expresses itself
body
Philosophers like Socrates emphasized the importance of
self-examination
, it’s not enough to live but to live wisely, understanding the reasons behind our actions and beliefs. Examining life allows for growth, wisdom, and a sense of purpose.
self-examination
philosophical theories
Hegel’s Dialectic Method and Ayn Rand’s Epistemology
proposes that truth emerges from a dialectical process
hegel’s theory
Hegel’s Dialectic Method involves
thesis, antithesis, and synthesis
this method shapes ideas and knowledge through opposing viewpoints merging to form new understanding.
Hegel’s Dialectic Method
focused on determining the correct method of acquiring and validating knowledge.
ayn rand (epistemology)
emphasizes rationality and objective knowledge over emotional or subjective reasoning.
Ayn Rand’s Epistemology
theories of truth
correspondence theory of truth and pragmatist theory of truth
According to this theory, a statement is true if it corresponds to reality.
correspondence theory of truth
To verify truth, one must observe whether the claim aligns with the facts of the world.
correspondence theory of truth
a belief is considered true if it works effectively in practice and yields useful results.
pragmatist theory of truth
This theory focuses on the practical consequences of ideas and their success in real-life applications.
pragmatist theory of truth
Philosophical Views on the Environment
ecofeminism; environmental aesthetics; ecocentrism; anthropocentrism
seeks to address and eradicate social injustices against women and the environment.
ecofeminism
It views the exploitation of nature and the oppression of women as interconnected issues requiring holistic solutions.
ecofeminism
This view emphasizes that maintaining environmental order not only brings out the natural beauty of surroundings but also contributes to the well-being of both humans and other living organisms.
environmental aesthetics
places intrinsic value on the ecosystem and the biological community as a whole, rather than prioritizing human needs alone
ecocentrism
This philosophical perspective promotes respect for all forms of life.
ecocentrism
places humans at the center of environmental concern, focusing on human benefit.
anthropocentrism
ochallenges this view, advocating that nature has its own worth independent of human use.
anthropocentrism
Ecological Conscience and Responsibility involves
ecological conscience and sustainable practices
begins with the awareness that human life co-exists with the entire ecosystem.
ecological conscience
Understanding our interdependence with other life forms is crucial for developing
sustainable practices
involves actions like simple living, practicing the 4Rs and being prudent about resource consumption.
ecological responsibility
A comprehensive approach to sustainability integrates these practices into daily life.
sustainable practices
what are the 4Rs
recycle, reuse, reduce, refuse