Philosophical Ideas

Question 1

(Introduction) what was Plato was convinced about ?

Answer 1

The world is an imitation of another much greater reality

Question 2

(Introduction ) how does Plato see the world ?

Answer 2

Constantly changing so cannot access true knowledge

Question 3

(Introduction) what does Plato conclude?

Answer 3

Must be another realm where things are eternal and unchanging

Question 4

(Introduction) what is this realm called where the world is eternal and unchanging ?

Answer 4

Realm of forms

Question 5

(Introduction) how do we gain true knowledge?

Answer 5

By using our reason

Question 6

What is Plato known as ?

Answer 6

A rationalist

Question 7

What is a rationalist ?

Answer 7

Someone who thinks source of knowledge is reason

Question 8

Things in the physical world are in the process of what according to Plato ?

Answer 8

Process of change

Question 9

How do we learn about things in the physical world according to Plato ?

Answer 9

Through experience using our five senses this is the ideal form

Question 10

Plato decided that we have intuition about the form so what does mean ?

Answer 10

When we were born we experienced them

Question 11

How does Plato see circles ?

Answer 11

Circle in the physical world but it out mental concept the ‘form of the circle’ will be a perfect circle but when translated in the physical world it loses its perfection

Question 12

What example does Plato use ?

Answer 12

Cave, analogy of the cave

Question 13

What does the chain represent ?

Answer 13

Holding us back from knowing the truth

Question 14

What does the sun represent ?

Answer 14

True reality , higher level of understanding and truth unchanging

Question 15

What does the shadows represent?

Answer 15

False knowledge we accept as truth

Question 16

What knowledge does Plato believe in ?

Answer 16

A prori knowledge/reasoning to unlock reasoning e.g triangle has 3 sides

Question 17

What does the analogy of the cave represent?

Answer 17

• injustice death of Socrates And the ignorance of humanity

Question 18

What is the key message and conclusion of the cave: metaphysics?

Answer 18

What is real ? - the world is not real and unchanging world of forms

Question 19

Key message and conclusion of the cave : epistemology ?

Answer 19

How do we gain knowledge?
Knowledge is in the in the mind (a proiri) not the sense as they only provide opinions

Question 20

Who should rule according to Plato ?

Answer 20

Philosopher kings as not corrupt

Question 21

How can we understand the forms ?

Answer 21

Everything in the world is in a process of change , people die or grow old but mathematical truths does not change e.g 2 + 2 always =4 and triangle always has three sides so unchanging truth

Question 22

What form everyone has in common ?

Answer 22

The form or idea of beauty

Question 23

What is the challenge of the cave ?

Answer 23

Plato does not offer proof of their being an existence of another real and unclear how two worlds can relate

Question 24

What are particulars ?

Answer 24

Imperfect imitations if the form and has the quality of beauty

Question 25

What is the form of good ?

Answer 25

- ultimate form - goodness in its purest form - true knowledge - most important in the hierarchy

Question 26

What is the form of good in the allegory of the cave

Answer 26

Sun , as the light luminates other forms

Question 27

Cristism of Plato ?

Answer 27

We can only study and prove what is on the physical world , Richard Darwkins says it’s kinder to study a transcendent realm with no Evidence or proof

Question 28

What is another criticism of Plato ?

Answer 28

Must be form of everything , dirt , new inventions smartphone, dinosaurs does not exist

Question 29

Third evaluation of Plato

Answer 29

Theory of evolution means we have empirical means of explaining what similar objects or animals have in common - cannot be a single form of good

Question 30

What is a strength of Plato ?

Answer 30

Form of good gives an absolute idea of what goodness really is , not a matter of opinion

Question 31

What is another strength of Plato ?

Answer 31

One of many arguments - innate ability to recognise forms due to metempsychosis so recognise one of many arguments

Question 32

What does Aristotle reject ?

Answer 32

Rejects the idea of forms

Question 33

How do we gain knowledge according to Aristotle ?

Answer 33

Through observation for the world around us

Question 34

Aristotle uses this term when he was thinking and writing about different kind of explanation what is this term ?

Answer 34

Aetion

Question 35

What is aetion ?

Answer 35

Aristotle used this when thinking and writing about different kind of explanation

Question 36

What is aetion translated as ?

Answer 36

Translated as cause and explanation

Question 37

What method does Aristotle use ?

Answer 37

Empirical method

Question 38

What are the four causes ?

Answer 38

- material cause - formal cause - efficient cause - final cause

Question 39

What is the material cause ?

Answer 39

What Something is made from , this is the thing that the process of change begins with

Question 40

What is an example of material cause ?

Answer 40

Bronze of a statue

Question 41

What is the formal cause ?

Answer 41

Form or shape something has and allows it to be recognized/identified as whatever it is

Question 42

Example of formal cause ?

Answer 42

Rat is recognised by its colour, shape , size , features and color

Question 43

What is the efficient cause ?

Answer 43

Primary source of change. Activity that makes something happen

Question 44

What is example of efficient cause ?

Answer 44

- maker of the object - parent of a child or person giving advice that you acted upon

Question 45

What is the final case ?

Answer 45

Most important cause. This is the cause of something/it’s purpose and reason for it existing at all.

Question 46

What else is the final cause known as ?

Answer 46

Telos , the end

Question 47

What is the example of final cause ?

Answer 47

The telos and final cause of walking is to be healthy

Question 48

(Prime mover) what did Aristotle realise ?

Answer 48

Universe was in constant change and motion

Question 49

What did Aristotle say there must be ?

Answer 49

Must be some kind of efficient cause or something or someone doing these actions to make this change or motion to happen

Question 50

What endless chain is there ?

Answer 50

Endless chain of cause of effect causing one thing to move then another to move

Question 51

WHO is the cause of the universe according to Aristotle ?

Answer 51

Must be God

Question 52

Nature of God ?

Answer 52

- Prime mover - unmoved mover - cause wh in actualised the potential in everything