Philosophy Flashcards
What is Boethius’ definition of eternity?
Eternity is the possession of endless life, whole and perfect, at a single moment.
What is the fallacy of composition?
If we accept everything in the universe has a cause or reason for its existence, we cannot make the jump to a belief that the entire universe has a cause or reason.
If we can explain the cause of each particle in a group of 20 particles of matter, it doesn’t explain the cause of the whole group of particles.
Hume criticised the cosmological argument through necessity and contingency. What was this about?
A being that cannot not exist is impossible, because something that exists, by definition, could not exist.
All statements to do with existence are synthetic, meaning the truth can only be determined by observation and experience.
Paley criticised his own theory. What did he say?
The watch could’ve come together by chance. HOWEVER everything is designed with an infinite degree of care.
We may be in ignorance of how watches are made. HOWEVER we don’t have to see how watches are made to know that there’s a maker.
Sometimes watches go wrong. HOWEVER we still know that it’s been designed.
Some parts of the watch appear to have no purpose. HOWEVER we still haven’t discovered their purpose. Our inference is still correct.
What are beliefs and opinion called according to Plato?
Doxa
What is the Form of the Good
It’s the purest, most abstract of all the Forms - furthest away from the physical world.
True knowledge is knowledge of the Form of the Good.
In the Realm of the Forms, what do we need to appreciate the Forms and illuminate our understanding?
Our intellect (the ‘mind’s eye’) to appreciate the Forms.
The Form of the Good to illuminate our understanding.
