Module 3: Doing Philosophy

Question 1

According to ____, philosophy begins with wonder.

Answer 1

Aristotle

Question 2

Doing philosophy is to continually engage in ____, ____, and ____ answers.

Answer 2

• Asking
• Answering
• Arguing

Question 3

Issues that philosophers are concerned with:

Answer 3

• Certainty
• Casuality
• Ethics

Question 4

The first major question that philosophers look into

Answer 4

Question of reality

Question 5

The state of existence of things independent of human consciousness; includes physical things that we feel, taste, and smell, as well as things that cannot easily perceive and comprehend

Answer 5

Reality

Question 6

Everything that exists in reality has a specific nature or character.

Answer 6

“Objective and absolute” reality

Question 7

Categories of reality:

Answer 7

Concrete and abstract

Question 8

The branch of philosophy which addresses questions regarding reality

Answer 8

Metaphysics

Question 9

Focuses on the classification of existing things

Answer 9

Ontology

Question 10

The second major focus of philosophical investigation

Answer 10

Question of certainty

Question 11

Refers to perfect knowledge that is free from error or doubt

Answer 11

Certainty

Question 12

A central concept in the question of certainty

Answer 12

Truth

Question 13

Also related to the question of certainty; the means by which wo/man is able to know

Answer 13

Knowledge

Question 14

A theory on knowledge which believes that knowledge is a priori knowledge or based on pure reasoning without the benefit of any experience

Answer 14

Rationalism

Question 15

A theory which considers knowledge to be a posteriori knowledge or knowledge from experience

Answer 15

Empiricism

Question 16

Questions the certainty of established doctrines or truths and believes that the mind has limits in perceiving and understanding reality

Answer 16

Skepticism

Question 17

The branch of philosophy which deals with the nature and extent of knowledge

Answer 17

Epistemology

Question 18

The cause of events and phenomena

Answer 18

Questions of casuality

Question 19

Closely related to the concept of casuality

Answer 19

Questions regarding the origin of things

Question 20

The explanation of a thing’s function or goal; final or ultimate cause

Answer 20

Purpose

Question 21

The capacity of man to govern or control his actions

Answer 21

Agency

Question 22

The ability to choose among possible actions

Answer 22

Free will

Question 23

An important aspect of discussion on agency and free will

Answer 23

Choice

Question 24

An important perspective regarding casuality and agency which shows that each event is determined or influenced by a specific set of events or factors

Answer 24

Determinism

Question 25

Refers to a predetermined course of events leading to a specific outcome or future

Answer 25

Destiny

Question 26

The branch of philosophy that studies casuality

Answer 26

Etiology

Question 27

The branch that deals with the questions of purpose

Answer 27

Teleology

Question 28

The final significant problem that philosophy tackles

Answer 28

Question of ethics

Question 29

Deals with the standards of right and wrong which define human behavior; a field of study that disucsses and defines the concepts and principles which are meant to govern reasoning and action

Answer 29

Ethics

Question 30

Important concepts related to ethics:

Answer 30

* Right and wrong * The greater good * Duty * Obligation * Virture

Question 31

The branch that seeks to apply and analyze these concepts in various situations, contexts, and cultures, and recommends guidelines that will govern the decisions and actions of people

Answer 31

Ethics or Moral Philosphy

Question 32

Steps of philosophers in their philosophical studies:

Answer 32

* Systematic doubt * Argument * Socratic method * Axiom * Occam's Razor | SASAO

Question 33

A method that implies the suspension of belief about absolutely everything

Answer 33

Systematic doubt

Question 34

According to him, the only thing that he cannot doubt is that he is doubting, he is thinking, and therefore must exist.

Answer 34

Descartes

Question 35

Means I think, therefore I am (Klempner, 2012)

Answer 35

"Cogito ergo sum"

Question 36

Engage in discussion and debate on their ideas; a constitutive of two or more claims

Answer 36

Argument

Question 37

The claim the arguments intend to give a reason for believing

Answer 37

Conclusion

Question 38

Taken together supports the reason for believing its conclusion (Payne, 2015)

Answer 38

Premises

Question 39

Also known as the elenchus or elenctic method; a form of cooperative argumentative dialogue between individuals, which is based on asking and answering questions in order to encourage critical thinking and to draw out ideas and underlying presuppositions

Answer 39

Socratic method

Question 40

Involves a discussion in which the defense of one point of view is questioned; one participant may lead to contradict themselves in some way, thus weakening the defender's stance

Answer 40

Dialectical method

Question 41

An established rule or principle or self-evident truth (Merriam-Webster, 2020); a statement or proposition that needs no proof because its truth is obvious, or one that is accepted as true without proof

Answer 41

Axiom

Question 42

A problem-solving device which is employed in analyzing possible explanations regarding a phenomenon

Answer 42

Occam's Razor

Question 43

According to him, Occam's Razor is a principle stating that among possible explanations, the one which has the least assumptions is the most acceptable.

Answer 43

Abella, 2016

Question 44

Practical uses of philosophy:

Answer 44

* Engage in analysis and interpretation of concepts, definitions, arguments, and problems * Problem-solving and decision making * Good communicator * Wisdom * Self-development

Question 45

The ability to apply knowledge to daily life (choices, judgment)

Answer 45

Wisdom

Question 46

Capacity for inquiry, critical thinking, and reflection

Answer 46

Self-development

Question 47

Everyone sees and interprets the world in their own unique way.

Answer 47

Perspective

Question 48

Factors that influence how we perceive this phenomenon and organize our beliefs and ideas:

Answer 48

* Family * Education * Social environment * Upbringing

Question 49

Two ways of how we "look at things":

Answer 49

Partial point of view, holistic perspective

Question 50

Defined as a stance or point of view from which something is considered or evaluated (Merriam-Webster, 2020); focuses on the specifics of only one aspect of the whole

Answer 50

Point of view

Question 51

An important component of analytical thinking; has a narrow focus and overlooks the role that the part plays in the overall operation

Answer 51

Partial thinking

Question 52

Defined as relating to or concerned with wholes or complete systems rather than analyzing, treating, or dissecting into parts (Merriam-Webster, 2020); looking from a macro perspective

Answer 52

Holistic way of thinking

Question 53

Entails looking at or considering the entire picture ("big picture"); focuses on the operation of the various elements or parts that comprise the larger whole

Answer 53

Holistic thinking

Question 54

Sees an event as it is; only externally focused on specific aspects of external reality

Answer 54

Partial point of view

Question 55

Produces a more comprehensive and integrated outlook on life

Answer 55

Holistic perspective

Question 56

Concerned with looking at and thinking about our experiences, actions, feelings, and responses, and then interpreting or analyzing them in order to learn from them (Atkins and Murphy, 1994)

Answer 56

Reflection

Question 57

An important process in philosophy because it leads to the development of individual skills that are useful in everyday life

Answer 57

Reflection

Question 58

According to ______, reflection is the act of devoting time to contemplating the meaning and purpose of one's life.

Answer 58

Marcel

Question 59

Two kinds of philosophical reflection:

Answer 59

Primary reflection, secondary reflection

Question 60

Investigates its object through abstraction, dissecting and breaking it down into its constituent parts; concerned with definitions, essences, and problem-solving techniques

Answer 60

Primary reflection

Question 61

Synthetic and seeks to unite rather than divide (Treanor & Sweetman, 2016)

Answer 61

Secondary reflection

Question 62

Tends to dissolve the unity of experience of the object being reflected on; associated with a partial point of view because it is fragmented and compartmentalized; does not make sense in context

Answer 62

Primary reflection

Question 63

Re-creates the unity of the original experience by collecting what primary reflection has dissected; allows us to think in a more holistic manner

Answer 63

Secondary reflection

Question 64

Allows us to see connections and relations of people, places, events, actions, and its effects

Answer 64

Reflection

Question 65

A critical philosophical process for ensuring that our choices, decisions, and actions are well thought out and take into account the implications and consequences; enables us to determine whether our decisions and actions are logical or illogical

Answer 65

Reflection

Question 66

Doing philosophy, when confronted with issues and concerns, enables a person to think ____ and ____.

Answer 66

Critically, analytically

Question 67

Improves our problem-solving abilities and aids us in making decisions

Answer 67

Doing philosophy

Question 68

When doing philosophy, it is critical to maintain a ______.

Answer 68

Holistic perspective

Question 69

The ultimate goal of doing philosophy

Answer 69

Achieve wisdom

Question 70

Valuable skills that philosophy provides:

Answer 70

* Analyze a problem or dilemma * Identify the key elements * Generate alternative solutiuons