PHI 1100 - Quiz 1

Question 1

From which 2 Greek words is “philosophy” from?

Answer 1

Philein (to love)
Sophia (wisdom)

Question 2

Working definition of “philosophy”

Answer 2

Careful reflection of our fundamental beliefs

Question 3

Thales of Miletus

Answer 3

Considered first philosopher
Reached conclusion through logic
Wondered “what is the stuff that made the world?”

Question 4

Epistemology

Answer 4

Study of knowledge
When are we justified in believing something?

Question 5

Ontology

Answer 5

Study of existence
Does God exist?

Question 6

Axiology

Answer 6

Study of values - anesthetics, political philosophy, ethics

Question 7

3 branches of philosophy

Answer 7

Epistemology, ontology, axiology

Question 8

Logic

Answer 8

Study of stuff we use to evaluate arguments

Question 9

Argument

Answer 9

A set of statements where one statement is supported by the others

Question 10

Premise

Answer 10

Evidence or supporting statement

Question 11

Conclusion

Answer 11

Main statement of the argument and supported by the other statements

Question 12

Inference

Answer 12

Process or how we start with our premises to get to our conclusion

Question 13

Why is being logical not the same as being devoid of emotions?

Answer 13

Logic is used to balance the emotions in an unbiased way

Question 14

Thought-experiment

Answer 14

Hypothetical situation that provides insights into a philosophical issue

Question 15

Descartes’ Evil Demon thought-experiment

Answer 15

An all-powerful evil demon can deceive him about everything he knows. But he can only be deceived if he can think and believe. So he will still know that he exists as a thinking thing. So he says “I think, therefore I am!”

Question 16

Why is “that can’t happen irl” a bad criticism?

Answer 16

A well-constructed thought-experiment can show what we believe about a certain philosophical issue even if it cannot actually happen

Question 17

Bertrand Russell’s value in philosophy

Answer 17

It prevents us from accepting the beliefs around us as true without good reasoning.

Question 18

Lewis Vaughn: When are our beliefs not actually ours?

Answer 18

When we get them from our friends, family, community, society, etc.

Question 19

John Taylor: What is the downside of blindly accepting one’s societal moralities?

Answer 19

One may struggle to defend their beliefs

Question 20

Descriptive ethics

Answer 20

Scientific study of morality - what do people think is right?

Question 21

Normative ethics

Answer 21

Ethical norms - which one is most justified?

Question 22

Metaethics

Answer 22

Abstract ethics - what is “good” and “bad”?

Question 23

Applied Ethics

Answer 23

Applying ethical norms in specific cases

Question 24

Intrinsic value

Answer 24

The thing itself is valuable, such as happiness

Question 25

Extrinsic value

Answer 25

The thing is valuable because of the consequences associated with it, such as preventive care

Question 26

Principle of Universalizability

Answer 26

If a principle applies to a situation, then it should apply to all relevantly similar situations

Question 27

Principle of Impartiality

Answer 27

Principles should be unbiased, such as the Golden Rule

Question 28

Lewis Vaughn: Why do religious individuals need moral reasoning?

Answer 28

Moral reasoning is needed to interpret the moral codes based on religion

Question 29

Dilemma concerning Divine Command Theory

Answer 29

If it is morally right because God said so, then anything He says is right. If God said so because it is right, then He didn't make those standards, they exist independently.

Question 30

Arbitrariness Argument against DCT

Answer 30

If something is right because God said so, then any arbitrary thing He commands is right, even killing innocents.

Question 31

Objectivism

Answer 31

Moral truths exist independent of what societies and individuals think

Question 32

Cultural relativism

Answer 32

An act is morally right if accepted by the doer's culture

Question 33

Subjective relativism

Answer 33

An act is morally right if one approves

Question 34

Emotivism

Answer 34

Moral utterances are neither true nor false ; they are expressions of emotions

Question 35

Absolutism

Answer 35

Principles are rigid rules with no exceptions

Question 36

Moral infallibility

Answer 36

That we cannot be wrong in our moral opinions if we sincerely believe

Question 37

Argument for cultural relativism

Answer 37

Right and wrong are relative to culture because people's opinion on right and wrong differ by culture, which means that objective moral principles don't exist

Question 38

Lewis Vaughn: Why can't cultural relativists consistently advocate for tolerance?

Answer 38

Because tolerance is an objective moral value, which cannot exist under the idea of cultural relativism

Question 39

Implication of cultural relativism regarding social reformers

Answer 39

Under cultural relativism, social reformers will always be morally wrong