Midterm 1 Flashcards
What are the three main ideas of Plato’s Republic?
~ The soul/mind of the human being is composed of multiple parts that can work against or with each other - in unity or harmony
~ The ideal life of a person is one in which these multiple facilities work together rather than against each other
~ The ideal life of a person is one in which harmony in the soul is a result of reason and justness
What does Plato say about the soul/mind of the human being?
Composed of multiple parts that can work against or with each other - in unity or harmony
What does Plato describe as the ideal life?
The ideal life of a person is one in which these multiple facilities work together rather than against each other
What does Plato suggest harmony in the soul is a result of?
A result of reason and justness
What are the three different kinds of people described by Plato and his city metaphor?
~ Basic: People who produce shelter, food,
and clothing
~ Soldiers and Police
~ Rulers: Philosophers and Kings - limited in number
What are the four virtues described by Plato, and the kinds of people they belong to?
Wisdom: Comes from the ruling class - Elitist
Courage: Comes from soldiers and police; includes physical and ability to maintain your values and beliefs through adversity
Moderation: The desires of the basic citizens are not allowed to overflow and take control
Justice/Harmony: Happens when all the different people in the city do the work in which they are better suited to do and not meddle in other affairs
What does Plato suggest are the three components of the sole/mind?
The three parts are the appetitive part, the rational part, and a third spirited part. The appetitive part is responsible for base desires like thirst or hunger; the rational acts in accordance with, and is responsible for, virtues. The spirited part is to ally with the rational part and act as a moderator.
What does Plato suggest about the ideal condition and its attainability?
The ideal condition for a human being is attainable if you are in the right environment, in any condition. He believes that human beings should strive for harmony. Put reason in control for other parts of the soul.
What does Aristotle state a human’s function or essence be?
Aristotle states our function is to excel in intellectual and practical reasoning
How does Aristotle distinct animals and plants?
Aristotle states human beings can engage in reasoning and act in accordance with reasoning - the capacity for reason
What are some counterarguments against Aristotle?
Reasoning being our capacity that is distinctive to humans and not applicable to animals is just not obvious
There are other capacities to reasoning that we may have that animal don’t: Global Altruism and the ability to appreciate natural beauty or art
What is the biggest issue to Aristotle’s argument presented in lecture?
Aristotle prioritizes our membership to the class of human beings rather than membership in other classes such as being a mother or being a teacher. Aristotle thinks human beings class is more important because it is essential and considers every other class as accidental.
Status as a human being is essential to ourselves and identity. Status as a guitar player or mother is accidental, not part of our core
What are the main ideas of Epictetus?
To live well, we must properly manage the things that are up to us and not care about the things not up to us
How does Stoicism (Epictetus) differ from Plato’s and Aristotle’s teaching?
Stoicism is to serve as a philosophy for everyone and practices for how to best live and manage your life. Plato and Aristotle are more matter of fact and tries to explain how things are and that we must accept them - Plato the different kind of people and associated viruses, and Aristotle our capacity for reason and the function to excel in intellectual and practical reasoning
What is the barrier to happiness according to Epictetus?
The conflict between our internal state and external conditions is the barrier to achieving happiness - bringing our desires in line with the world and conform our desires to the actual nature of things
What does Epictetus (or any stoic) suggest?
The stoic suggests engaging in practices that, over time, will allow us to regulate better and control our emotions - remind ourselves of the nature of things
What does Epicurus have to say about death?
Epicurus states not to fear death since it does not exist for the living, and the dead do not exist to experience it
What does Epicurious believe the best state of a human can attain was?
Peaceful living, absence of physical, mental, and emotional stress
How does Epicurious believe we can reach the best state of living for a human?
Appreciating life for what it is and being grateful for what you have. Not to overindulge in foods or deserts, etc. To not delve into politics and/or strive for power. To get good friendships
What, according to the metaphysics of the Upanishads, is the “path of joy” to enlightenment?
The path of joy involves understanding and aligning yourself with the truth of the universe: that Atman is Brahman. The separate ego does not exist, but is one manifestation of the same ultimate Self.
What is the difference between the path of joy and the path of pleasure?
When we are under the illusion that we are separate egos looking to gain control over an external world, we become trapped in cycles of pleasure and pain.
Aligning oneself with this truth involves getting a spiritual teacher who can guide you along the path to escaping the cycle of pleasure and pain. This is equivalent to joy.
Explain the ocean metaphor and the actor metaphor
Ocean metaphor: we think of ourselves as separate egos (i.e. drops), but we are ultimately just one manifestation of the same ocean as everything else in existence.
Actor metaphor: Brahman/God/the Self underlies everything, but only plays a game of theatrical hide and seek in many forms (i.e. many human beings and forms of consciousness) to deceive itself and play games. We are all Brahman in disguise, acting as many separate egos on the same plane.
What are the four noble truths, and how does Buddhism suggest you treat them?
Suffering is inevitable
Suffering is caused by desire
To eliminate suffering, eliminate desire
The 8-Fold plan is the way to eliminate pain
Describe the two darts analogy in regards to pain
First dart: The pain itself; not connected to desire
Second dart: Mental aversion/anxiety around the pain; wanting the pain to go away; connected to desire
You cannot eliminate the first dart, but you can eliminate the second dart
