Final Exam Definitions

Question 1

‘p is physically possible’

Answer 1

p does not contradict any physical law (i.e. any law of nature)

Question 2

‘p is metaphysically possible’

Answer 2

p is true in at least one possible world

Question 3

‘p is logically possible’

Answer 3

p does not entail a contradiction

Question 4

possible world

Answer 4

A maximal, consistent set of propositions that does not alter the essential properties of any object; such a set describes a “way things could have been”

Question 5

abstract actual world [AWA]

Answer 5

The maximal, consistent set of true propositions (i.e. that accurately describes AWC)

Question 6

concrete actual world [AWC]

Answer 6

The sum total of actual states of affairs

Question 7

‘p is actually true’

Answer 7

p is true in the actual world (i.e. Wα)

Question 8

‘p is possibly true’

Answer 8

p is true in at least one possible world

Question 9

‘p is contingently true’

Answer 9

p is true in the actual world, and p is not true in at least one other possible world

Question 10

‘p is necessarily true’

Answer 10

p is true in every possible world

Question 11

‘x is accidentally F at t’

Answer 11

both
i) x is actually F at t, and
ii) in at least one possible world, x is not F at t

Question 12

‘x is essentially F at t’

Answer 12

in every possible world where x exists, and every time when x exists, x is F

Question 13

[OP-4] ‘x is omnipotent at t’

Answer 13

i) x is able at t to do any action that is metaphysically possible for x to do at t, and
ii) it is metaphysically possible for x to do something at t

Question 14

[OS-3] ‘x is omniscient at t’

Answer 14

for every proposition at, p, if p is true at t, then x knows p at t

Question 15

[N-2] ‘x necessarily exists’

Answer 15

x exists in every possible world

Question 16

‘x is purposive’

Answer 16

x appears to be the product of design

Question 17

‘x is really purposive’

Answer 17

x is purposive & x is the product of design

Question 18

‘x is pseudo purposive’

Answer 18

x is purposive & x is not the product of design

Question 19

‘p is epistemically possible for S’

Answer 19

there is no proposition, q, such that
i) S is aware that q contradicts p, and
ii) S holds q to be certain

Question 20

[E-2] ‘x is eternal’

Answer 20

for each moment of time, t, x is present at t

Question 21

[C-2] ‘x is creator of the world’

Answer 21

x is an (concrete) individual & the world depends for its existence upon x

Question 22

[PG -1] ‘x is perfectly good’

Answer 22

i) x possess all the moral virtues
ii) x never does anything morally wrong
iii) x never does anything morally blameworthy

Question 23

the Logical Problem of Evil

Answer 23

God’s omnipotence, omniscience, and perfect goodness are logically incompatible with the presence of suffering in the world

Question 24

the Logical Problem of Evil (Proposition breakdown)

Answer 24

1) If God exists, then is omniscient, omnipotent, and perfectly good [theologians]
2) If God is omniscient, the God foresees [f] all suffering. (God knows every true proposition]
3) If god is perfectly good, the God desires to prevent [dtp] all suffering. (Indifference to all suffering is bad)
4) If God is omnipotent, the God can prevent [cp] all suffering (God can do anything consistent]
—-
5) So, if God f, dtp, &, cp, all suffering, then God would prevent all suffering. (There is nothing to stop God)
6) So, if God exists, the God f, dtp, & cp all suffering, then God would prevent all suffering
—-
7) So, if God exists, the God would prevent all suffering (5-6 HS)
8) There is suffering in the world
—-
9) So, God does not exist

Question 25

'x is numerically identical to y iff'

Answer 25

x & y are one & the same identity/entity (i.e. x = y)

Question 26

'x is qualitatively identical to y iff'

Answer 26

x has all the same universals as y

Question 27

Indiscernibility of Identicals

Answer 27

For any objects x & y, & any time t, if x = y at t, then every property/universal possessed by x at t is also possessed by y at t (and vice versa) (i.e. if x and y are numerically identical, then x and y are qualitatively identical)

Question 28

Transitivity of Identity

Answer 28

If a = b & b = c , then a = c Ex: Superman = Clark Kent & Superman = Kal El, than Clark Kent = Kal El

Question 29

'S1 and S2 are directly connected, psychologically'

Answer 29

S2 contains at least one psychological state which stands in the appropriate relation of casual dependence to a state contained in S1

Question 30

The Special Composition Question (SCQ)

Answer 30

What necessary and jointly sufficient conditions must any material objects, the xs, satisfy in order for it to be the case that there is a material object, y, composed of the xs?

Question 31

Nihilism

Answer 31

Under no circumstances is there a material object, y, composed of some material objects, the xs

Question 32

Restricted Composition

Answer 32

under some, but not all, conditions there is a material object, y, composed of some material objects, the xs

Question 33

Unrestricted Composition (Universalism)

Answer 33

For any non-overlapping xs, there is a material object, y, such that y is composed of the xs

Question 34

Inconsistent set

Answer 34

A set of propositions that cannot all be true

Question 35

Minimal revision

Answer 35

If we must give up a belief, we should give up the one that has the smallest impact on the remainder of our beliefs

Question 36

Non-co-location*

Answer 36

It is impossible for two distinct objects of the same kind to be co-located

Question 37

Endurantism (3D view)

Answer 37

i) extension in time is very different from extension in space ii) an object that is extended in time is wholly present at each moment of its temporal extension

Question 38

Perdurantism (4D view)

Answer 38

i) extension is time is perfectly similar to the extension in space ii) an object that is extended in time has a different temporal part at each moment of its temporal extension