QUIZ 1 (chapter 1 and 2) Flashcards
What is materialism in philosophy?
The belief that everything can be explained by physical processes.
What is scientism?
The view that science is the only valid source of knowledge and that it can explain everything, often dismissing other forms of understanding (e.g., philosophy, religion).
What is the ‘God of the gaps’ argument?
The idea that God is used to explain phenomena that science cannot currently explain, with the ‘gaps’ shrinking as scientific knowledge advances.
What is realism in the context of science and philosophy?
The belief that the external world exists independently of our perceptions and that scientific theories describe reality as it truly is.
What is anti-realism?
The view that scientific theories do not necessarily describe an objective reality but are useful tools for predicting and explaining observations.
What are the laws of nature?
Fundamental principles or rules that describe the behavior of the natural world, often expressed mathematically (e.g., Newton’s laws of motion).
What is the ‘first cause’ argument?
A philosophical and theological argument that everything that begins to exist has a cause, and the universe must have a first cause, often identified as God.
What is quantum mechanics?
A branch of physics that studies the behavior of matter and energy at the smallest scales, where particles can behave as both waves and particles.
What is epistemology?
The study of knowledge, including its nature, sources, and limits.
What is ontology?
The study of being or existence, including what entities exist and how they relate to each other.
What is metaphysics?
A branch of philosophy that explores the fundamental nature of reality, including the relationship between mind and matter, cause and effect, and possibility and necessity.
What is deism? How does a deist differ from a theist?
A deist believes God made the universe but doesn’t get involved in it. Think of God as a clockmaker who built the clock (the universe) and let it run on its own.
A theist believes in a God who made the universe and is still involved in it, like answering prayers or doing miracles.
How would a materialist classify God?
A materialist would classify God as a non-physical, or a human-created concept that exists outside the realm of physical matter and natural laws.
Since materialism only accepts the reality of physical matter, God, as a non-physical entity, would be seen as either nonexistent or a psychological/social construct.
What is the ‘God of the gaps’ argument, and how would a materialist respond to it?
The ‘God of the gaps’ argument uses God to explain phenomena that science cannot yet explain. A materialist would critique this by arguing that as scientific knowledge advances, the ‘gaps’ where God is invoked shrink, making the concept of God unnecessary.
Would a realist or anti-realist be more likely to say ‘the laws of nature existed before the Big Bang’?
A realist would be more likely to say this. Realists believe that scientific laws describe objective, mind-independent reality and could exist independently of the universe. An anti-realist would argue that laws of nature are human constructs dependent on observable regularities, so they might question whether ‘laws’ even apply before the Big Bang.
What is the main point of the ‘first cause’ argument, and what problem does it resolve?
The first cause argument states that everything has a cause, and the universe must have an uncaused cause (often identified as God). It resolves two problems:
- Infinite regress: Without a first cause, there would be an endless chain of causes, which is unsatisfying.
- Contingency: Everything in the universe depends on something else, so there must be a necessary being (God) that explains why anything exists at all.
What is scientism, and would a scientism advocate say belief in God fits the ‘God of the gaps’?
Scientism is the belief that science is the only valid way to understand the world. A scientism advocate would likely say belief in God fits the ‘God of the gaps’ because they see God as a placeholder for what science cannot yet explain. As science advances, the ‘gaps’ shrink, making God unnecessary.
What is the potential problem for materialism given quantum mechanics?
Quantum mechanics challenges materialism by showing that particles behave unpredictably, can exist in multiple states at once, and are influenced by observation.
This suggests reality might not be purely physical, which contradicts materialism’s claim that only matter and physical processes exist.
What is the difference between a scientific theory and a ‘God theory’ in terms of making a mistake?
Scientific theory: Mistakes are expected and lead to progress. Theories are revised or replaced based on new evidence (e.g., Newton’s laws were refined by Einstein’s relativity). God theory: Mistakes are often explained away or reinterpreted, as beliefs are based on faith rather than empirical testing. For example, if a religious claim conflicts with science, believers might reinterpret the text rather than reject the belief.
What is critical realism?
Critical realism is a band-aid on realism without falling into anti-realism. No matter what we think about it, there is a reality, but we cannot know everything; the universe is random.
Critical realism isa philosophical framework that attempts to explain reality by focusing on causal mechanisms and human agency.
What is determinism?
Determinism isthe belief that all events, including human actions and decisions, are ultimately determined by preexisting causes or conditions.
How has a historical trial influenced the perception of conflict between science and religion?
Galileo’s trial became a symbol of the supposed conflict between science and religion. He was condemned for supporting the idea that the Sun, not the Earth, was the center of the universe.
Forced to recant his beliefs and sentenced to house arrest, Galileo was seen by many as a martyr for science. However, Galileo himself believed that science and religion could coexist in mutual harmony. He saw science as a way to understand the natural world, while religion explained spiritual matters.
Despite his public renunciation, the legend of him muttering “And yet it moves”—referring to the Earth’s motion—has shaped modern views on science and religion, influencing ongoing debates about topics like evolution, the origins of the universe, and humanity’s place in it.
