pte Flashcards

1
Q

define a conspiracy theory

A

explanations for the events around the world that usually involve a secret operation usually carried out by a group of plotters usually for a common goal

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

explain the difference between an irrational belief and a conspiracy theory

A

irrational beliefs lack truth and are usually harmful and illogical. some conspiracy theories have turned out to be true, however most are irrational

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

why would someone be motivated to adopt a conspiracy theory?

A

it can be more entertaining than the truth. it makes us feel clever, special or important. it appeals to our emotions and gives us a focus for our anger

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

what is confirmation bias and why does it matter

A

only seeking or recognising evidence and ideas that support our currently held views. it limits our understanding and prevents us from changing our mind

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

why might religion be an irrational belief

A

it can be harmful and limit other ways of thinking about life, may not be true as there are too many religions for them all to be true

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

define ahimsa

A

the belief in total and absolute non-violence towards anything. including violent tone, actions, speech and thoughts.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

explain the role of karma in ahimsa

A

good karma is attained when we protect life, bad karma results from violence which then leads to a bad rebirth or more coming back to us

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

what religions would follow ahimsa

A

buddhism, hinduism

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

what is the difference between a western and eastern perception of ai

A

western; hostile and sceptical
eastern; more open and considerate to possible benefits and consciousness

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

explain the challenge social media can create for democracy

A

can spread misinformation and promotes conflict and emotion over reason and real communication

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

define utilitarianism

A

the greatest happiness for the greatest number in any given situation

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

explain the trolly problem

A

a thought experiment where we must choose between allowing a train to end 5 lives or switching the track to kill 1 person

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

who was peter singer

A

the utilitarian philosopher who supported animal rights and the equal consideration of interests

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

explain the difference between a western and an eastern perception of animals and the soul

A

western; Christian view- only man has a god given soul and is special
eastern; animals and humans share the same souls and all life is connected

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

what is cosmetic and medical testing on animals

A

cosmetic: testing for makeup, products etc
medical: testing for medicine and life saving treatments

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

define divine command theory

A

right and wrong are absolute given as the commands of god in the form of scripture which must be followed like rules

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

explain the difference between absolute and relative morality

A

absolute- always follow the same rule no matter what
relative- do what is best in the situation

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

what religions would follow the divine command theory

A

christianity, judaism, islam

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

what are the differences between western culture and eastern culture

A

western cultures- promote individuality and independence
eastern- more we cultures that emphasize importance of responsibility and relationships

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

explain 2 different beliefs about consciousness

A

consciousness realism- exists as part of the world not able to reduce the physical part so the brain.
materialism- just a product of the brain

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

define asceticism

A

renouncing or removing physical and psychological desire

22
Q

what is the difference between natural and unnatural ascetitism

A

natural- giving up pleasures and comforts
unnatural- extreme control over the body

23
Q

what are examples of ascetics

A

Jesus, Muhammad, the buddha

24
Q

explain the life of a Hindu Sadu and why they adopt this

A

total commitment to religion, no possessions wealth or comforts, seek to help and guide others, focus on meditation and contemplating the divine wile overcoming pain

25
Q

what are merits of the ascetic life

A

helps remove addictions. develops the virtues of self discipline and moderation. helps us feel closer to god

26
Q

define euthanasia

A

the acting of assisting someone to end their life; assisted suicide

27
Q

explain the difference between active and passive euthanasia

A

active- taking action to end a life
passive- removing the saving support and allowing death to happen

28
Q

what is genetic engineering and what are the applications of it

A

changing a persons DNA to remove defects or improving the abilities of a person

29
Q

explain the Chinese room thought experiment and what it shows

A

instructions are fed into a system and rules are followed. intelligent sounding answers will result but there is no understanding of Chinese at all - machines need a body to deemed conscious

30
Q

explain different views on the divine

A

atheist: rejects it and doesn’t believe
Buddhist: enlightenment
Hindu: moksha (overcoming desires/ freedom) and the supreme god with many forms
Christianity: the holy trinity, one god all powerful
islam: 99 names - all considered to be descriptions of gods qualities

31
Q

name some biases and what they are

A

anchoring- when you latch on to the first information you find
in group bias- when you favour the side of people like you
confirmation bias- we ignore the information that challenges
need for closure- don’t like not knowing/ waiting for a solution
backfire effect- if our views are attacked you take it personally and double down

32
Q

what is Platos cave

A

Platos cave is the metaphor for not being able to see past your own beliefs/ the media. 3 prisoners are locked in a cave and have watched shadows of the outside world but have never seen what it is like, 1 prisoner breaks free and discovers the outside world is much better so he tries to tell the others, but they think he’s stupid and kick him aside.

33
Q

who is Sigmund Freud

A

an Austrian neurologist who believed that religion is ‘childish’ and a ‘false reality’

34
Q

who is Karl Marx

A

a German philosopher that believes religion ‘comforts’ but doesn’t help progress as it caused many conflicts as of soldier mindsets

35
Q

who was Jo Marchant

A

he believed that if people believe in something/ someone they are more likely to feel better/ be better.

36
Q

what is qanon

A

Qanon is a group of conspiracy theorists who believe that trump is waging a secret war against Satan-worshipping paedophiles in government, business and media

37
Q

what is polarisation

A

when society involves opposed and separate groups

38
Q

what is cancel culture

A

when someone famous/ well-known does something offensive therefore the issue is brought up on social media

39
Q

what is a person

A

a person is a human being with a consciousness, mind, a human body and a soul.

40
Q

why should animals be considered as people

A

humans are products of evolution from animals, we have no right to believe animals have different pleasure/ pain- peter singer, animals have thoughts, feelings and a soul

41
Q

why shouldn’t animals be considered as people

A

Thomas Aquinas said that because only humans can gain knowledge of god only humans are people. only humans can hold back from their desires, animals lack will- kant

42
Q

who was Alan Turing and what did he believe

A

he believed that if a computer could convince you it was a human then it was artificially intelligent and therefore thinking for itself.

43
Q

what is the catholic view on euthanasia

A

those who approve laws of assisted suicide become accomplices of sin, it is an act of homicide that no act can justify

44
Q

what is culture

A

culture represents shared norms, values, ideas and patterns of learned behaviour

45
Q

what is ethnocentrism and an example

A

ethnocentrism is evaluation of other cultures (racism) - in France you aren’t allowed outside your house in ethnic clothing

46
Q

what is relativism

A

the principle that knowledge, truth and morality exist in relation to culture -eg. religion spreading

47
Q

what is an altered state of mind

A

any state of mind of which a persons sese perceptions are different than normal, it is a temporary change

48
Q

what are examples of altered states of mind

A

meditation- quiets the mind and focuses attentions
dreams- experience of images, sounds and feelings that aren’t real
reaction from drugs- change in behaviour because of drugs triggering the mind

49
Q

why do we enter ‘altered states’

A

healing, automatically, unitary consciousness

50
Q

how can seeing the divine in an altered state make it true

A

the divine would only show for believers, could show the truth, could be a message

51
Q

how can seeing the divine not be true

A

the person could be lying, there not n the right state of mind, they only see what they want to see