Unit 1

Question 0

a priori

Answer 0

Prior to or independent of experience

Question 1

a posteriori

Answer 1

From experience

Question 2

Absurd

Answer 2

In logic, a contradiction, as in a “round square” in existentialism, the impossibility of objective or ultimate meaning.

Question 3

Abstract

Answer 3

That which exists in the mind rather than the external world; the conceptional as opposed to the objective; the general as opposed to the particular.

Question 4

accidental

Answer 4

In metaphysics, an attribute of something which is not necessary to that thing.

Question 5

agnosticism

Answer 5

the belief that one cannot, or at least does not, know reality or especially God.

Question 6

analogy

Answer 6

A correspondence in some respect between things otherwise different.

Question 7

apologetics

Answer 7

Literally, “defense”; in philosophy, the discipline of rationally justifying one’s beliefs.

Question 8

atheism

Answer 8

The worldview which claims that no God exists; the universe is all there is.

Question 9

being

Answer 9

That which is or exists; the real.

Question 10

bipolar

Answer 10

In panentheism, the two poles of God’s being.

Question 11

Brahman

Answer 11

In Hinduism, it denotes the principal and ultimate reality which is identical with all that is.

Question 12

cause

Answer 12

The necessary and sufficient condition for an effect.

Question 13

law of causality

Answer 13

A basic principle in logic and science that states, “every event has a cause.”

Question 14

Christian Science

Answer 14

A modern pantheistic cult founded by Mary Baker Eddy; denies the reality of sin, sickness, and death and denies the unique deity of Jesus Christ.

Question 15

Church of Jesus christ of Latter-day Saints (mormons)

Answer 15

The name of the religious cult founded in 1830 by Joseph Smith, Jr; denies biblical authority and doctrine, espousing polytheism.

Question 16

clairvoyance

Answer 16

An occultic practice or ability of seeing objects or persons psychically.

Question 17

coherence theory of justification

Answer 17

In epistemology, the theory that there are no immediately justified beliefs; justification is a relationship among beliefs, none of which is epistemologically prior.

Question 18

coherence theory of truth

Answer 18

A definition for truth as that which is systematically consistent.

Question 19

contingent

Answer 19

Dependent on another for its existence or function.

Question 20

correspondence theory of truth

Answer 20

definition of truth as that which corresponds to reality.

Question 21

cosmological argument

Answer 21

The argument from the contingent, changing world (cosmos) to the existence of God.

Question 22

deduction

Answer 22

Arguing from the general to the particular; also a logical argument whose conclusion follow necessarily from one or more premises.

Question 23

deism

Answer 23

The belief that God created the world and is transcendent; denies that God is immanent in the world, especially in any supernatural way.

Question 24

demiurge

Answer 24

Plato’s concept of a finite creator or god who formed the world out of the chaos (prime matter).

Question 25

determinism

Answer 25

The belief that all events in the universe (including men’s actions) are controlled by previous conditions.

Question 26

Docetism

Answer 26

An ancient heresy that said Jesus Christ only appeared to be a man, but was really a spirit being.

Question 27

dualism

Answer 27

The worldview which teaches the existence of two ultimate realities.

Question 28

efficient cause

Answer 28

The agent by which an effect is produced.

Question 29

emanation

Answer 29

In pantheism (Plotinus), the flowing of the universe necessarily from God, as rays flow from the sun or radii flow from the center of a circle.

Question 30

empiricism

Answer 30

The theory of knowledge which holds that all knowledge begins in sense experience.

Question 31

epistemology

Answer 31

The study of knowledge or how we know.

Question 32

equivocation

Answer 32

Use of the same term with two different meanings.

Question 33

essence

Answer 33

Qualities or attributes of a thing which are necessary; its nature.

Question 34

ethical essentialism

Answer 34

The ethical view that God wills moral rules because they are right, and flow from His essence or character.

Question 35

ethics

Answer 35

The study of righ and wrong, of what one ought to do.

Question 36

eternal

Answer 36

That which exists without beginning, end or change; not simply of endless duration, but the absence of time.

Question 37

ex nihilo

Answer 37

The Christian belief that God created the world “out of nothing.”

Question 38

exemplar cause

Answer 38

The pattern or blueprint after which something is made.

Question 39

existentialism

Answer 39

A philosophical movement which stresses that existence is prior to essence; the concrete and individual is over the abstract and universal.

Question 40

fallacy

Answer 40

A logic error of inference, relationship or conclusion.

Question 41

fideism

Answer 41

The view that there are no rational ways to justify one’s beliefs; faith alone is necessary.