Philosophy Final Exam Questions

Why does Socrates think that the soul is superior?

The body comes with the problems of illness, maintenance, desires, etc.

What, if any, role does God play in the rationalism argument?

The certainty and truth of every science depend on the knowledge of the one true God

How does Aristotle describe the soul in De Anima?

"pathē", or the cause of affections, as well as the principle of self-motion (alteration, locomotion, growth, and decay)

How does Aristotle's hylomorphism differ from Plato's dualism?

Aristotle argues that the relationship between the soul and the body is necessary whereas Plato's dualism argues that the relationship is accidental

In each argument what is the role played by aisthêsis?

Aristotle says we form concepts, whereas Plato believes it is just a reminder

What are the different elements of the Socratic method?

1. Cross-Examination 2. Refutation 3. Maieutic Procedure

How does the idea of human nature, from Thomistic natural law, pertain to it?

All humans have a common desire to choose their own meaning or way of life

Why does Socrates make use of the Socratic method?

By questioning the men of Athens, he is stimulating critical thinking and drawing out new ideas

According to the recollection argument how do we come to have knowledge of forms?

Concept formation does not happen by means of sense perception, but rather employs the idea that the soul pre exists the body, so therefore, all knowledge is prenatal and we learn through recollection

According to Aristotle how are universals formed in our mind?

Concept formation is through sense perception

What is the Socratic method?

Dialectic

What would either Foucault or Sartre react to the theory?

For Sartre, we function as humans to give ourselves essences. Because of our free will we are able to produce essences no actions, no essences no " ]\ essences, nobody

How, if at all, does the Socratic method pertain to the notion of Plato's forms (e.g. Plato's Laches)?

Forms are concepts, and Plato argues that these concepts are known since birth and simply need to be drawn out by external forces

How does Socrates conceive of the relationship between the soul and the body in Phaedo?

He believes that the soul is fused to the evil body and therefore that the body hinders the soul in knowledge acquisition in that senses are deceptive and true knowledge is obtained via reasoning

Ultimately how does Orestes come to embody the fundamental tenet of existentialism?

He refuses to take Zeus offer for salvation in return for penitence

Why does Nagel say that there is good reason to think that our "area of freedom shrinks to zero"?

He thinks that we don't have free will because the way that we act are consequences of what's in control. If this is true than our actions nor our willing are free

How does Socrates application of his method factor into his prosecution?

He was accused of corrupting the youth by encouraging a shift in values

What point does Nagel try to illustrate when he refers to Lt. Calley as a "dangerous bit of the zoosphere"?

He's seen as a danger because he killed so many people

What is the function argument?

It argues that everything has a normality of functioning

How does the rationalism argument pertain to the scientific revolution?

It is found in Descartes' "Discourse on Method" which as an influential work in the development of the sciences

On what basis do Thomists argue for the existence of human nature?

It is natural law in the hearts of men to do good and avoid evil

Why does Foucault think it is important to examine the way we talk about sex?

It is repressed and sexuality constitutes an important mode of return to the self (identity)

What does the function argument have to do with human nature?

It says that it is natural for a human to be morally good

How does Aristotle's psychic hierarchy coincide with the field of biology?

It shows that we as organisms are well adapted to our environments

How does this differ from Aristotle's theory of abstraction?

It's a cognitive process which removes individuating and differentiating characteristics until one arrives at the essential

Give two examples from The History of Sexuality showing how sex becomes discourse

Medical and Pedagogical

How do the objective and subjective perspectives pertain to this argument?

Objective- there are always some blind spots and since we are determined by antecedent elements and states of affairs Subjective- we project our sense of autonomy to judge him

How does discourse affect the way society is shaped, the distribution of power and the influence of the state, which, as Hobbes observed, has overwhelming power?

Sex became a matter between the individual and the state and population has become an economic and political tool. Foucault says that we talk about nothing more than sex yet we have never said enough about it

What is a Platonic form?

The Platonic form is the idea of universal concepts or something that is pleasing to the senses

What does Socrates mean by philosophy as "practicing death" and as katharsis?

The best way to obtain true knowledge is through the separation of soul and body, which is what Socrates means by philosophy as "practicing death" and that every philosopher should practice this

How is the function argument articulated by a modern Thomist like Jacques Maritain?

The idea of horsey morality, which says that, unlike humans, horses are not free because they cannot be held accountable for their actions

How does hylomorphism factor in to Aristotle and the soul?

The idea of hulē (body) and morphē (soul) and that the body exists for the soul to perform specific tasks

What is rationalism?

The idea that all knowledge is prenatal and that sense perception acts a reminder

What is psychosomatic dualism?

The idea that the soul and the body exist separately

What is Aristotle's psychic hierarchy?

The powers of the soul, which are the nutritive, appetitive, sense perception, locomotion, and thinking

Why is that important to Thomists' "natural law" theory of ethics?

They believe that morality is objective

How does Descartes argue in favor of rationalism?

With his cogito argument: "I think therefore I am", which says being able to doubt one's own existence is proof thereof

How can Sartre's The Flies be read as a critique of religion (Christianity)?

Zeus has this responsibility to prevent man from knowing that they're free and he uses manipulation as a tool

How does the difference between Electra's and Orestes' interaction with Zeus allegorize this critique?

Zeus than offers salvation away from the flies and the imminent danger awaits them from the town people and Electra accepts while Orestes declines