Intro To Philosophy

Question 1

I think therefore I am

Answer 1

Rene Descartes

Question 2

Apology: what is Socrates charged with?

Answer 2

Not believing in the gods
Corrupting the youth
Making the weaker argument appear the stronger

Question 3

Apology: penalty Socrates rejects

Answer 3

Exile, no matter where he goes, he would continue to question and upset people

Question 4

Apology: what is death

Answer 4

Could be a dreamless night or soul could go somewhere, we don’t know death is bad

Question 5

Apology: worst harm

Answer 5

Knowingly doing wrong

Question 6

Apology: why is Socrates questioning people

Answer 6

The oracle, to find out who is truly wise (being wise is not caused by being good at one profession)

Question 7

Apology: why does it not make sense to corrupt the youth?

Answer 7

Why would he corrupt them if he has the live with them? And why would you charge him for corrupting the youth rather then talking to him about it first?

Question 8

Apology: why does it not make sense that he doesn’t believe in gods?

Answer 8

He believes in spirits and they are the children of gods

Question 9

Apology: what does he believe his punishment should be?

Answer 9

He should be paid and fed. He never took money, and those in good shape get money and food but those in need continue not to.

Question 10

Metaphysics

Answer 10

The study of how things are, the fundamental nature of being

Question 11

Dualism

Answer 11

Mind+body

Question 12

Egyptian metaphysics: shadow?

Answer 12

Non corporal double

Question 13

Egyptian metaphysics: akh

Answer 13

Aspect of the sun

Question 14

Egyptian metaphysics: ka

Answer 14

Vital forces of everything

Question 15

Egyptian metaphysics: Ba

Answer 15

Exists independently from the body

Question 16

Egyptian metaphysics: pharaoh’s ethics

Answer 16

Ensure that the equilibrium of creation was maintained during their lifetime (equilibrium- ma’at- justice)

Question 17

Confucianism: period developed

Answer 17

Warring states

Question 18

Confucianism: why did Confucius leave his home state

Answer 18

His leader was given dancing girls and he ignored his responsibilities, to look for a virtuous leader

Question 19

Confucianism: 5 main themes

Answer 19

Focus on everyday life
Revivalist tradition
Differentiated caring
Ritual
Ethical cultivation

Question 20

Normative theories

Answer 20

Consequentialism
Deontology
Virtue ethics

Question 21

Consequentialism

Answer 21

The right action is the one that creates the greatest good ( Jeremy Bentham, John Stuart mill, mozi, yang zhu)

Question 23

Deontology

Answer 23

We must act accordingly to ethical duties

Question 24

Virtue ethics

Answer 24

Good character (Aristotle, kongzi, mengzi)

Question 25

Questions for virtue ethics

Answer 25

What is it to live well?
What traits of character are central
What is human nature like
How can one cultivate virtues

Question 26

4 cardinal virtues

Answer 26

Goodness (humanness, caring, benevolence) Wisdom Humility Righteousness (integrity)

Question 27

Confucianism: mencian critique of profit

Answer 27

If leader values profit, those below him will and focus on themselves rather then the collective and look to improve themselves.

Question 28

Confucianism: ox mountain

Answer 28

Looks like it can not produce trees, but that is because ox have trampled on the sprouts. Same with a ‘bad’ person. They seem like they cannot be good, but it was the upbringing that made them this way

Question 29

Confucianism: kongzi virtues vs mengzi

Answer 29

Kongzi: goodness, righteousness, humility, wisdom Mengzi: benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom

Question 30

Confucianism: Mencian human nature

Answer 30

Human nature is naturally good. (Kid falling in a well)

Question 31

Daoism: who is Laozi, and was he real

Answer 31

He wrote the daodejing, and he is fiction, it means "old master"

Question 32

Upanishad: what does upanishad mean

Answer 32

"sitting down near"

Question 33

Upanishad: meaning of Atman

Answer 33

self

Question 34

Upanishad: meaning of Brahman

Answer 34

That which is, spiritual force

Question 35

Upanishad: meaning of Brahma

Answer 35

creator god

Question 36

Upanishad: meaning of Brahmin

Answer 36

Priest caste

Question 37

Upanishad: Atman is Brahman

Answer 37

we are connected to the all powerful force of the universe

Question 38

Upanishad: True or false, each of us has a "me"

Answer 38

True

Question 39

Upanishad: how do we know "I" am unchanging

Answer 39

Through intuition and experience, we know that the core of "I" has not changed

Question 40

Upanishad: What about yourself can change without "I" changing

Answer 40

Personality, thoughts, opinions, etc.

Question 41

Upanishad: does "I" include any changeable features?

Answer 41

No

Question 42

Upanishad: What is liberation

Answer 42

experiencing that Atman is Brahman, or knowing the fundamental nature of being

Question 43

Upanishad: what is Monism

Answer 43

Theory that everything is one

Question 44

Upanishad: what is the 'good life'

Answer 44

A life of contemplation, and truly knowing and experiencing truth

Question 45

Bhagavad Gita: the Bhagavad Gita is part of what epic

Answer 45

The Mahabharata

Question 46

Bhagavad Gita: Can liberation be found in life as a part of society

Answer 46

Yes

Question 47

Bhagavad Gita: Meaning of Nomaste

Answer 47

I a recognizing that there is something in you that is in me

Question 48

Thales: What is the world made of, and why

Answer 48

Water, because everything is constantly changing

Question 49

Crito: Why should laws not be broken or why does Socrates say he cannot escape before his death?

Answer 49

1. Agreeing to stay means you agree to the laws (just agreement), could leave at any time, had children, etc 2. leaving weakens the importance of the laws, either persuade the city to change the laws, or abide by them 3. Socrates chose death over exile, how could he leave now

Question 50

Plato: Detail Plato's 'Social Contract'

Answer 50

1. State raises us through education, and legal structure 2. Provides security 3. Provides civil laws 4. Provides public goods such as transportation and roads

Question 51

Nussbaum: Explain her capabilities approach

Answer 51

1. States owe their members certain goods because of the demands of human dignity 2. Freedom to achieve well-being

Question 52

John Rawls: View on a just state

Answer 52

State isn't just unless less well-off people are doing okay in society

Question 53

Liberalism: View on a just state

Answer 53

Minimal interference and support for individuals

Question 54

Utilitarianism: View on a just state

Answer 54

State does what provides the greatest good for the greatest number of people

Question 55

Two ways of speaking of freedom

Answer 55

Positive (freedom to) Negative (freedom from)