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Philosophy+ethics > Philosophy Key Words > Flashcards

Philosophy Key Words Flashcards

1
Q

Particulars/phenomena

A

The mutable (changing) things we witness in the world of the senses

E.g-flowers

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2
Q

Immutable

A

Unchanging

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3
Q

Form

A

Platos description of a perfect unchanging concept, or ideal in the world of forms

E.g-the form of the good

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4
Q

Anamnesis

A

The soul remembering the forms

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5
Q

Empiricism

A

All knowledge and truth are derived from the senses, experiences and observations

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6
Q

Motus

A

A Greek world meaning- constant change, observed in the world

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7
Q

Telos

A

Means end or purpose

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8
Q

The material cause

A

Describes the matter or substance that something is made from

Doesn’t explain how or why change occurs

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9
Q

The efficient cause

A

Describes the process of coming into existence. Describes the process of change

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10
Q

The formal cause

A

Describes how we know what something is, its shape and characteristics.

It explains motus by describing the result of change from the material cause, through the efficient cause into the object that it is

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11
Q

The final cause

A

What is the purpose of the object and why was it created (telos). Viewed as the most important cause of

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12
Q

The prime mover

A

Aristotles explanation for continuous change

It’s the final cause of movement and change because it draws things towards itself, without doing anything itself

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13
Q

Dualism

A

The view that we are made of two separate and different elements- material body and spiritual soul

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14
Q

Monism

A

The view that we are simply a single being- Aristotle

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15
Q

Consciousness

A

describes intellect, thinking and being aware of who we are

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16
Q

Logical fallacy

A

An error is logical thinking

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17
Q

Theism

A

A belief in a god this is active and involved with the world

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18
Q

The teleological argument

A

An argument for the existence of god that comes from the evidence of order in nature (design argument)

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19
Q

A posteriori argument

A

An argument based on sense experience and observations of evidence- linked to empiricism

20
Q

Fallacy of composition

A

What’s observed about the parts can’t be assumed to be the same for the whole

21
Q

Epicurean hypothesis

A

Finite particles given infinite time will eventually form order.

Home developed this idea from Epicurus

22
Q

Infinite regress

A

A chain of events going backwards forever

23
Q

Contingent

A

Can exist or not exist and relies on something outside of itself to exist

E.g- a baby brought into existence by its parents relies on food and oxygen to survive

24
Q

Deism

A

Belief in a creator that started the world but then had no further involvement with it

25
Q

Necessary being

A

Can’t not exist, doesn’t rely on anything for its own existence and holds reason for its being within itself

26
Q

Inductive

A

Evidence is collected from observations and experiences to suggest a hypothesis which is then reinforced by further observations and evidence.

An inductive argument can only lead to a probable or possible solution.

It’s the basis of scientific investigations

27
Q

A priori argument

A

A type of philosophical argument that relies on logic and reasoning.

Empirical evidence isn’t used

28
Q

Analytic statement

A

A statement that contains the truth needed to verify it within the statement itself. It’s true because of its meaning

E.g- all apples are fruits

29
Q

Synthetic statement

A

A statement that needs external evidence to verify if it’s true or false

E.g- its raining outside

30
Q

Predicate

A

Adds something to the description of a subject or object

31
Q

Mystical experience

A

An experience of something beyond normal awareness, something described as super/sub sense

32
Q

A Passive experience

A

People feeling the weren’t in control of the experience and as if another power was acting on them

33
Q

Ineffable experience

A

The experience was difficult to put into words

34
Q

Noetic experience

A

The experience provided insight or knowledge grasped through intuition

35
Q

Transient experience

A

The experience lasted a short time (less than 30 mins) but had a much more significant effect on the person, often life long

36
Q

Conversion experience

A

A change of heart and turning of one’s priorities, following a new direction in life

37
Q

Pragmatism

A

The effects on and value to the individual

Used by James to emphasise the importance of the effects of a religious experience because they show it holds value for the individual

38
Q

Pluralism

A

All religions are valuable and hold truth

39
Q

Mass hysteria

A

Collective obsessional behaviour, with physical and psychological symptoms

40
Q

Corporate religious experience

A

A religious experience shared with many

41
Q

Principle of testimony

A

We should assume people are telling the truth unless we have a good reason to believe otherwise

42
Q

Principle of credulity

A

Things are as they seem to be unless we have evidence to the contrary

43
Q

Theodicy

A

A defence or justification for god in the face of evil and suffering

44
Q

Privation

A

A lack of goodness

45
Q

Universal salvation

A

Everyone is saved or welcomed into heaven after death

46
Q

Epistemic distance

A

Humans can’t know or be sure that god exists in order to preserve free will

47
Q

Vale of soul making

A

This world, where natural and moral evil have a purpose, to allow humans to develop into the likeness of god

Philosophy+ethics (1 decks)

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