philo Flashcards
Who is considered the first philosopher in Greece?
Thales
Thales is known for attempting to measure the pyramids by its shadow and believed everything came from water.
What is anthropomorphism?
Giving human-like qualities to nonhumans
What is the focus of Pre-Socratic philosophy?
Physis (Greek) / Physics
The Pre-Socratic philosophers focused on nature and the physical world.
What did Anaximander contribute to philosophy?
Apeiron (infinite)
Anaximander believed that everything was the opposite and that the Apeiron is undefined and ever-moving.
What did Anaximenes believe everything was made out of?
Air
What is the Pythagorean view of numbers?
Numbers were sacred and everything is numbers
Pythagoras and his followers viewed numbers as fundamental to understanding the universe.
What is the significance of Heraclitus in philosophy?
Believed that everything is made out of fire
Heraclitus is known for his assertion that ‘no man can step in the same river twice.’
What philosophical stance did Xenophanes take?
Attacked anthropomorphism and believed in one God
What concept did Parmenides advocate?
The use of reason
Parmenides influenced Plato and Western philosophy.
What is monism according to Zeno of Elea?
The idea that only one single entity exists that makes up all of reality
What did the Atomists believe?
The universe was made up of indivisible particles called atoms
Who was Socrates?
A philosopher from Athens, Greece, known for his method of questioning
What was the Socratic Problem?
Uncertainty about Socrates’ existence
What did Socrates choose over exile?
Death by poison (Hemlock)
Socrates believed that accepting exile would be equivalent to admitting guilt.
What is Plato known for in relation to Socrates?
Most information about Socrates comes from him
What led Plato away from politics?
Sparta’s victory and the execution of Socrates
What is the Theory of Forms?
The idea that the visible world is made up of sight and sounds, while the intelligent world gives it being
What are the three parts of the soul according to Plato’s Tripartite Theory?
- Reason
- Spirit
- Appetite
Who was Aristotle?
A student of Plato and a significant philosopher
What is the Lyceum?
Aristotle’s school
The name Lyceum is derived from God Apollo = Lyceus, the God of sun and music.
What does ‘Peripatetics’ mean?
To work together
What are the Vedas?
Sacred Text
The Vedas are ancient religious texts that form the foundation of Hindu philosophy and spirituality.
What does ‘Orthodox’ refer to in the context of Indian philosophy?
Philosophy related to sacred text
Orthodox schools include Samkya, Yoga, Nyaya, Vhaisheska, Purva Mimamsa, and Vendata.
List the six Orthodox schools of Indian philosophy.
- Samkya
- Yoga
- Nyaya
- Vhaisheska
- Purva Mimamsa
- Vendata
These schools are considered orthodox as they acknowledge the authority of the Vedas.
What does ‘Heterodox’ refer to?
Not related to orthodox
Heterodox philosophies include Indian political philosophy, Buddhism, and Jainism.
Who is Siddharta Gautama?
Rich prince who left for enlightenment (Nirvana)
Siddharta Gautama is known as the Buddha after achieving enlightenment.
What is Nirvana in Buddhism?
Freedom from suffering
Nirvana represents the ultimate goal in Buddhism, signifying liberation from the cycle of rebirth.
What are the Four Noble Truths?
- Suffering
- Cause (cravings/desires)
- End (Nirvana - free from suffering)
- Path (Eightfold Paths)
These truths outline the essence of Buddhist teaching.
What are the Eightfold Paths in Buddhism?
- View
- Resolve
- Speech
- Action
- Livelihood
- Effort
- Mindfulness
- Concentration
The Eightfold Path provides a guide for ethical and mental development.
True or False: Buddhism believes in reincarnation.
True
Reincarnation is a core belief in Buddhism, connected to the concept of Karma.
What is Karma in Buddhism?
- Good Karma: reborn rich, straight to Nirvana
- Bad Karma: reborn poor, lower to animals, then lowest to plants
Karma refers to the actions that influence future rebirths and experiences.
