Ancient Philosophical Influences

Question 1

Rationalist

Answer 1

Someone who thinks that the primary source of knowledge is reason

Question 2

Empiricist

Answer 2

Someone who thinks that the primary source of knowledge is experience gained through the five senses

Question 3

Socratic method

Answer 3

The method of philosophical reasoning which involves critical questioning

Question 4

Reason

Answer 4

Using logical steps and thought processes in order to reach conclusions

Question 5

Nous

Answer 5

Understanding by intellect

Question 6

The cave allegory

Answer 6

A famous analogy written by Plato which he uses to explain some parts of his theory of Forms

Question 7

Form

Answer 7

Eidos

A name Plato gave to ideal concepts

Question 8

Image

Answer 8

Eidolon/Eikon

The things we see that most people believe to be real but which are in fact only reflections of the Forms

Question 9

Form of Good

Answer 9

The highest of all the Forms.

Plato said it was also the source of the other Forms

Question 10

Universal

Answer 10

In metaphysics, a universal is what particular things have in common

Question 11

Particular

Answer 11

In metaphysics, particulars are defined as concrete, spatiotemporal entities as opposed to abstract entities such as properties or numbers

Question 12

Knowledge

Answer 12

Episteme

For Plato knowledge that has been derived by justifying an opinion with an argument (logos)

Question 13

Opinion

Answer 13

Doxa
The quasi-knowledge we obtain from the sensible world as opposed to the true knowledge that we gain from the Realm of Forms

Question 14

Anamnesis

Answer 14

The theory of recollection

According to Plato learning is actually recalling facts from before we are born

Question 15

Analogy

Answer 15

A comparison between one thing and another in an attempt to clarify meaning

Question 16

Analogy of the Sun

Answer 16

Plato’s analogy in which the Form of Good is compared to the Sun

Question 17

Prime Mover

Answer 17

Aristotle’s concept of the ultimate cause of movement and change in the universe

Question 18

Telos

Answer 18

The end, or purpose, of something

Question 19

Motion

Answer 19

Kinesis

For Aristotle natural motions or processes go from potentiality to actuality

Question 20

Potentiality

Answer 20

The natural ability to do something, or the built-in possibility of becoming something

Question 21

Actuality

Answer 21

Energeia

The fulfillment of a potentiality

Question 22

Four causes

Answer 22

Material - what it is made of
Formal - what is its shape
Efficient - who made it
Final - why was it made

Question 23

Strengths of Cave analogy

Answer 23

Helps us understand why there are imperfections in the world
Encourages not to accept things at face value
Explains why we can universally recognise certain qualities

Question 24

Weaknesses of Cave analogy

Answer 24

Impossible to prove
Good is subjective not universal like Plato suggests
The illustration is nothing like the world we live in so it is hard to relate

Question 25

Strengths of Prime Mover

Answer 25

Method can be applied to virtually any object Logical - there must be a start to the universe that must have been caused as everything else has a cause PM is not a God that interacts with the world - avoids problem of evil Explains reason behind motion and change in the world

Question 26

Weaknesses of the Prime Mover

Answer 26

If they are so powerful, why cant they interact with the universe If the prime mover did not think to initiate the start of universe, as it can only think about itself, then how did the universe come into being. How can the PM be perfect but, but be so ignorant to an entire would he has created

Question 27

Aristotle

Answer 27

Monist - soul and body united and cannot exist without each other Empiricist - Rely on experience + experiment A posteriori - knowledge gained through experince

Question 28

Plato

Answer 28

Dualist - Soul and body are two separate entities Absolutist - objective truths exist Rationalist - knowledge is based on the use of reason

Question 29

A posteriori

Answer 29

Knowledge or justification is dependent on experience or empirical evidence

Question 30

A priori

Answer 30

Knowledge or justification is independent of experience

Question 31

Via negative

Answer 31

Describing something by saying what it isnt

Question 32

Via positive

Answer 32

Describing something by saying what it is