philosophy Flashcards
Russell’s Argument on the Value of Philosophy
Philosophy broadens the mind, challenges certainties, and deepens understanding of the world, fostering critical thinking without giving definitive answers.
Main Point of Wallace’s “This is Water” Speech
Wallace argues education helps us become aware of our automatic, self-centered thinking and teaches us to make more intentional, empathetic choices, similar to philosophy’s role in questioning assumptions.
Is Knowledge More Valuable than True Opinion According to Plato?
Plato says knowledge is more valuable than true opinion because knowledge is tied to reason and understanding, making it more stable and reliable.
Highest Level of Epistemic Achievement According to Plato
The highest level is knowledge (episteme), which is understanding unchanging truths (the Forms). Opinion (doxa) deals with changeable, physical things and is less reliable.
The Point of the Cave Analogy
Plato’s cave allegory illustrates human ignorance and the philosopher’s journey to enlightenment, showing how people mistake illusions for reality until they discover true knowledge.
Descartes’ Method of Doubt in the First Meditation
Descartes doubts everything—including the senses and the physical world—to strip away false beliefs and find something absolutely certain.
Descartes’ One Thing That Is Utterly Certain
Descartes’ one certainty is “I think, therefore I am” (Cogito, ergo sum), because even doubting proves the existence of a thinker.
Rini’s Definition of Fake News
Fake news is misinformation or deliberately false stories presented as real journalism, often shared on social media to deceive or influence.
Rini’s Criticism of Testimony on Social Media
Rini argues testimony on social media is unreliable because information spreads without verification, and emotional or social motives often override truth.
Why People Believe Fake News According to Rini
People believe fake news due to cognitive biases, social influences, and the echo chambers of social media, where repeated false information becomes more persuasive.
Epistemic Bubble According to Nguyen
An epistemic bubble is an environment where only information that confirms existing beliefs is seen, while opposing views are systematically excluded.
Echo Chamber According to Nguyen
An echo chamber goes beyond an epistemic bubble. It actively conditions members to distrust outside sources, reinforcing internal beliefs and making outside information less credible.
Fricker’s Definition of Epistemic Injustice
Epistemic injustice is when someone is unfairly treated as less credible or knowledgeable due to prejudice, such as sexism or racism. (prevent them from fully accessing or contributing to knowledge.)
Fricker’s Definition of Testimonial Injustice
Testimonial injustice happens when someone’s credibility is unfairly diminished due to bias, denying them a fair chance to contribute knowledge, often based on their identity. (not believing someone or dismissing their credibility when they try to share what they know. )
Philosophy broadens the mind, challenges certainties, and deepens understanding of the world, fostering critical thinking without giving definitive answers.
Russell’s Argument on the Value of Philosophy
