Philosophy Study Guide 2

81. Thoroughly describe the five main criticisms of Plato's Form theory Aristotle has.

1-Alternative epistemology : theory of knowledge. 2-Oddness oForms: (such as there must be a perfect unchanging fingernail) Aristotle shows that Plato theory involves thinking about strange forms. Exp: form of finger nail. Trying to think about those forms is almost impossible, not a good theory if you are lead to worse problems than the one you started with. 3-Participation Imitation Problem: began by noting that Plato many times talks about the physical objects imitation of forms. Almost impossible to give any meaning to that. How Plato defines things & Aristotle views it is two different worlds. One imitates the other doesn't make any sense 4-Third Man Problem: the way that Plato answers the problem of one and the many will lead to an infinite regress to forms. 5-Form of the Good- the use of god univocalaly which is untrue

27. Define counterexample

A counterexample is an example which raises a problem with someone's premise of their argument.

66. Fully define Meritocracy:

A meritocracy is a political system in which power and responsibility is given to each person based on ability and talent, rather than wealth and status.

84. Define Analogical and give an example of its use:

Analogical is when a word is used in different meanings but still similar . For example : John lives in New Jersey and His spirit lives within us . The word lives has two different meanings here.

18. Fully define anamnesis

Anamnesis is Socartes' theory that learning is recollection and recollection is looking within the mind and soul.

38. Fully define Anamnesis:

Anamnesis is Socartes' theory that learning is recollection and recollection is looking within the mind and soul.

71. Define Aristotle's theory of abstraction:

Aristotle's theory of abstraction focuses on how when we are born we do not know what something is, but with time and gaining sensation and experience, we can come to know what something is and develop it in our memory.

23. Fully define deontological

Deontological is the view that morality is the matter of doing what is right regardless of the consequence- We do what is right as determined by reason - regardless of the consequences

11. Fully define dialectic

Dialectic is Socarte's method of seeking the truth through cross-examination and discussion

56. Fully define dualism

Dualism is when you take some reality is split into two parts, and those two parts are in conflict with one another. Socartes believes this applies to human nature, and there exists a divide between the mind and soul. Part of us is in the material world and part of us is in the spiritual world

55. Explain the main translations of eidos. Then explain why Dr. Flynn prefers the translation as form

Edios is a greek word which translate to form. Dr. Flynn prefers the use of the translation to (form) because it the most clear one and is the least confusing one. Other translations can have other meanings which make them confusing.

17. Fully define epistemology

Epistemology is the philosophical theory of knowledge.

85. Define Equivocal and give an example of its use:

Equivocal is when a word is used in a completely different meaning. Example: He went on a date and He ate a date. Two different meanings for the word date.

9. Define the fallacy of equivocation

Equivocation is the false reasoning by using a word or a phrase in the wrong/ or a different way in an argument

87. Explain why "happiness" is not an adequate translation of " Eudaimonia"

Eudaimonia is acting well and feeling well, it is not a state in the way happiness is, because one can be happy when they feel well but are not necessarily acting well.

89. Fully define the virtue of Courage:

Every society has put courage as an important value. Courage is the moral habit of doing what what is right in deadly or dangerous situation- a courages person has mastered their feelings of fear.

88. Explain Aristotle's theory of the four causes.

Formal, material, efficient cause, final cause. The formal is the science of change, after it has accrued and it asks what type of object do we have. The material is out of what did the change occur, the efficient cause is what agent or process brought about the cause, and the final cause is what was the purpose for the change occurring.

107. Explain why Aristotle believes the evil person cannot be truly happy.

Happiness (eudaimonia) is feeling well and acting and the evil person does not act well, therefore can not be happy.

74. Fully explain how Aristotle defines science:

He defines science is an organized body of knowledge.

98. Explain why the life devoted to honor is not truly the final purpose of human life.

Honor is too dependent on the people who give it and those give it may not be honorable themselves.

97. Explain why the life devoted to pleasure is not truly the final purpose of human life.

Human nature is rational and we can enjoy pleasure but it can not be the end. Humans are not grazing animals.

86. Define Hylomorphism:

Hylomorphism is the theory that the human soul is part of the overall form of the body.

79. Describe Aristotle's theory of immanent form and contrast this toPlato's theory of Transcendent Forms.

Imminent forms is a way of organizing many things into one group or having them all be joined under a common trait. On the other hand the the theory of transcendent forms can not have all things exist in the same realm. Aristotle believes that in the physical world, the imminent form makes sense, meanwhile the transcendent form takes the spiritual realm into account.

93. Explain what Aristotle means by calling ethics a practical science. Then contrast this with what Plato would say about knowledge and ethics:

In practical science the aim is action and it uses probability and principles. For Plato, knowledge has to be that of science , math. While for artistole, the practical science can exist without the aim of knowledge exclusivly.

67. Fully explain the story of the allegory of the Cave in the Republic. Then explain the symbolism of the initial situation, the inside of the cave, the turning around of the prisoner and the journey outside the cave, the outside world, the sun, and the return of the prisoner, in terms of Plato's theories:

In the Allegory of the Cave from Socrates' Republic book VII, a group of people has spent their entire lives in a dark cave, chained and unable to move. A fire behind them casts shadows on the cave wall as their captors pass objects and engage in conversations. These prisoners create their own language based on the shadows. One prisoner is forcibly turned around and exposed to the light outside the cave, initially experiencing fear and discomfort. Gradually adapting to the light, he gains a true understanding of reality. Upon returning to the cave, the enlightened prisoner feels a duty to share his knowledge. Though reluctant to identify the shadows in the dark, he sees an opportunity to be a better leader for the others. Despite the challenges, he is more educated than his fellow prisoners, not only understanding the shadows but also knowing their true causes. The symbols are the following - The initial situation symbolizes: human nature and education The inside of the cave symbolizes: the soul being imprisoned in the body The turning oaroung symbolizes: conversion - dialectic education The journey symbolizes: Pain of education. The outside world symbolizes:spiritual world in Plato's theory of forms. The sun symbolizes: the highest of the spiritual objects. The return of the prisoners symbolizes: going back becayse they feel a sense of obligation to those in the cage - deontological thought

106. Explain why the translation of akrasia as incontinence is problematic.

In the medical field incontinence refers to the inablity of one to control their bladder or bowel movment.

95. Explain the division of virtues into intellectual virtues and moral virtues. Give examples of each.

Intellectual virtues: applying abstract morality to real life human situations, prudence science Moral virtue: courage and temperance, involves listening to the intellect but a heavy emotional companent.

12. Fully define moral realism/objectivism

Moral realism is the concept that mortality does not exist, rather it can be evaluated, examined and defined on a case-by-case basis - Moral objectivism is the idea that happiness can be one's moral purpose during their life.

10. Fully define moral relativism.

Moral relativism is the idea that morality is only a matter of opinion

80. Describe how Aristotle's theories would account for our general concept of say a coffee cup. Then explain how Plato's theories would account for our general concept of anything, say, a coffee cup:

Plato would say that a coffee cup that exists in our world ( physically). People use it to drink out of it and it holds a certain shape. It also has a spiritual counterpart that is unchanging. On the otherhand Aristotle would say that this coffee cup exists in the physical world. We will remember it in the physical world and can create an eternal image and memory of it in our heads ( which is non physical). As Aristotle's theory of abstraction goes, when we are born we would not know what a coffee cup is, but with sensation, we get to associate it with a shape, function and other stuff and store in our memory as such.

105. Fully explain what is meant by potentialized knowledge. How does it differ from actualized knowledge? How does the distinction explain incontinence:

Potentialized knowledge is something that you know in the back of your mind but are not actively thinking about. Actualized knowledge is knowledge that you are actively thinking. During incontinence, a person has to turn their actualized knowledge to potentialized knowledge, they do this because they want to do the action and go with their emotions.

76. Fully explain Aristotle's notion of a practical science:

Practical science aims at doing, it involves the use of reasonable exceptions, example include ethics and political science.

22. Define rhetoric

Rhetoric is the art of persuasive speech

101. Fully explain why Aristotle thinks the virtuous person should be praised more than the continent person:

Since no one is born doing the right thing, the virtuous person is someone who knows the right thing, has control over their emotions and has no problem doing the right thing, therefore they should be praised more. The continent person struggles initially to do the right thing.

3. Fully define skepticism

Skepticism is the idea that knowledge is impossible and having it can not be proved

57. Explain how Socrates defines death in the Phaedo

Socartes defines death in the Phaedo as the separation of body and soul.

37. Fully describe what Socrates is looking for in any true definition

Socartes is looking for commonality in a true definition. He seeks to find one quality that can encompass all of them.

64. Fully define Metaphysics:

The aspect of philosophy that deals with the interpretation and questions about reality.

21. Define the fallacy of ad hominem

The fallacy of ad hominem is the false way of reasoning in which you attack someones personal trait or character rather than the premise of their argument and you don't even evaluate their argument.

20. Define the fallacy of an appeal to pity

The fallacy of appeal to pity is the false way of reasoning in which when one is asked to do something or believe in something on the basis of pity

68. Fully define Fallacy of Begging the Question:

The false way of reasoning when you assume that which is at issue in the question.

91. Explain how the final cause relates to ethics.

The final cause is the ultimate purpose of human life. The purpose of human life should follow ethics and in that way they can achieve the final cause of human life by acting in the correct way, therefore this connects to the study of ethics. It is a question of if our actions go towards the target of purpose of life- and this question can tell us if the action is good.

77. Describe the five stages of Aristotle's view of epistemology given in the Metaphysics:

The five stages are : Sensations, memory, experience, science and techne. Sensations refers to the feelings we get, this is an inherent trait. Memory is the storage of information, Experience is when a person can separate sensation and memory or combine them. Techne is arts, crafts, human skills. Science is a form of education and knowledge that is very complex. All these stages exist at a continuum and is hard to isolate.

100. Fully give a detailed explanation of the four main states of moral responsibility in terms of how each state would react emotionally and intellectually to an offer of wrongdoing.

The four main states is: vice, incontinence, continence, and virtue - a vicious person would rejoice at the opportunity to do a wrong doing - intellectually it is okay and emotional they would want to do it, an incontinent person would see the wrong doin as wrong intellectual but emotional they would be attracted to this wrong doing and would do it for their own benefit. The continent person - would see the wrong doing as wrong and emotionally they would hesitate , want to do the wrong thing but end up not doing , the virtuous person would see it intellectually as wrong and emotionally they would reject the idea of doing the wrong thing and find it repulsive.

103. Fully explain why incontinence is not a struggle over intellectual matters, but a practical struggle:

The incontinent person knows that what he wants to do is wrong. The struggle is wanting to do the wrong thing and the incontinent person loses this battle against their knowledge to their emotions. A struggle over intellectual matters is when one does not know what is right, but the incontinent person knows.

65. Explain the problem of the one and the many:

The philosophical problem of what is the reality of universal terms and how do we apply it to many different individuals. So in simple it is the question of what gives us the ability to use one term to describe several different realities. Where in this case the one is the universal and the many is the individuals.

92. Explain what is meant by saying the most important ethical training is done in the "pre-rational stage":

The pre-rational stage refers to childhood. Most emotional training is done at that stage as it develops the childs emotional conrtrol- which in turn is what develops their ethical training. It does not matter if someone knows what is right or wrong if they do not have the emotional training to control their desires to do the wrong thing.

5. Distinguish between the premises and the conclusions of an argument.

The premise of an argument is the evidence and facts behind the argument. The conclusions of the argument is the idea or statement that is said to be true based on the evidence ( premise)

70. Define realism and nominalism when it comes to the problem of the One and the Many:

The problem of the one and the many is a philosophical problem. The problem asks what gives us the ability to use one term to describe several different realities or objects and how that would be achieved. Realism - can apply a distinct definition for example in terms of gender- a realist can only define the genders as man and woman. A nominal view has a matter of opinion in the application of the one reality to many individuals, so they can say that you can not define the gender by only man and woman.

75. Fully explain Aristotle's notion of a theoretical science:

The theoritical science is that knowledge is certain and does not change. It is black and white- examples are geometry, math and physics.

69. Define explain the proper meaning of the Greek word telos:

The ultimate goal or object of human desire.

78. Describe the various possibilities of translating "techne"

The various possibilities could be art, craft, skill, and or job. All revolve around the knowledge a human holds to be able to do a certain task.

102. Fully explain why Aristotle thinks the vicious persons should be blamed more than the incontinent:

The vicious person is a person who was once incontinent. Through repeat transgressions, the person begins to justify their own behavior and rationalize it, therefore allowing them to transgress further with their vices making them vicious. An incontinent person still has their own moral code which they believe to be correct. They can differentiate right from wrong but are overpowered by their emotions and do the wrong things

90. Explain why the word good means different things when it is applied to human nature and when it is applied to God:

The word good means different things for God and human because God is not like a human in which he does not have a physical body and can not be hurt or killed. Also God does not need to have temperance or courage, so God has a different nature than humans do. It does not work because we have a body and can be harmed while god does not.

96. Explain why Aristotle believes that the young do not make the best students of ethics.

The young make for bad students of ethics for two reasons. The first being lack of experience and the second being incontinent. The lack of experience limit their decision making and incontinence force them into following their emotions despite knowing what is correct.

6. Explain what is meant by the fallacy of an appeal to authority

This fallacy is when one believes something is true simply because it was said by someone in a position of authority.

104. Fully explain Aristotle's philosophical defense of incontinence.

This relates of actualized knowledge. Aristotle does not believe all acts of evil are incontinent as some are bestial and vice, but some are done knowingly because the person chooses to turn their knowledge that something is wrong from actualized knowledge to potentialized knowledge so that they could go with their emotions.

99. Fully explain the six possible states of moral responsibility. Explain why the bestial brutish and the god-like states are excluded from ethical study.

Those two states are utside ethics because they dont involve choice, in those situations because they are beyond your control. The six possible states are: Beastial, incontinent, vice,continent, virtue, god-like. Beastial: severe mental illness,child, bad upbringing Incontinnent: state where you knowingly do evil under the influence of the emotions Vice:evil habit where you do what is wrong and you no longer know what is wrong and you have an emotional attraction to what you are doing, no one is born in this state. Continent: the state where you do what is right after a struggle and relunctanlty do what is right. Virtue:knows what is correct and does not hesitate to do what is right, natural for the. God-like: born this way, does not do any wrong.

83. Define Univocal and give an example of its use :

Univocal is when a word is used in the same way in different sentences . For example Sam is a boy, Alex is a boy , a boy was born . The word boy refers to the same idea.

108. Explain why Aristotle believes that the Virtuous person is not necessarily happy:

Virtue is a necessarily condition for eudaimonia but it is not everything necessary, you need family, good health, stability and many other factors which could be outside someones control and therefore a virtuous person may not feel well and therefore do not feel happy, ex getting an illness you had no control over getting or not getting.

82. Define Infinite Regress:

When the premise or basis of an argument leads to infinity in conclusion.

73. Fully define Accidentals:

accidental qualities are qualities that are true about the individual thing but do not define the type of thing the individual is. (just because the hat is black does not mean it is the color black instead of being the hat itself)

72. Fully define essentials:

an essential quality is a quality or qualities that define the type of thing something is

94. Fully define Prudence-Practical Wisdom:

the intellectual virtue of applying abstract morality to concrete human situations.