PART B EXAM PHILOSPHY Flashcards
(24 cards)
1
Q
- Plato’s Allegory of the Cave
Three Specific Knowledge Points:
A
- Illusion vs. Reality : The cave represents a state of ignorance where prisoners perceive shadows on the wall as reality. Exiting the cave represents understanding the truth of reality.
- Philosopher’s Role: Plato illustrates the philosopher as someone who escapes the cave, understands the truth, and has the responsibility to return to the cave to help others see beyond their illusions.
- Education and Truth : The allegory emphasizes that gaining knowledge is a challenging process requiring effort and a willingness to leave behind comfortable but false beliefs.
2
Q
- Plato’s Allegory of the Cave
Agree/Disagree:
A
- Agree: Plato’s allegory highlights the importance of questioning appearances and seeking deeper truths, which aligns with the pursuit of personal growth and understanding.
- Disagree : Some might argue that the allegory assumes a universal truth that may not exist, or that the return to the cave fails to address the resistance to new ideas in society.
3
Q
- Plato’s Allegory of the Cave
Relevance/Significance to Philosophy and/or the Real World:
A
- In the real world, it reflects how media, culture, and societal norms can shape perceptions,
- This challenges individuals to seek truth beyond conventional narratives.
4
Q
- Socrates
Three Specific Knowledge Points:
A
- The Socratic Method : Socrates developed a method of questioning that encouraged critical thinking and dialogue.
- Ethics and Virtue : Socrates emphasized that living a virtuous life was the key to happiness. He argued that knowledge and virtue are interconnected and that true wisdom comes from understanding the self.
- Unexamined Life: Socrates famously claimed that “the unexamined life is not worth living,” highlighting his belief that self-reflection and the pursuit of wisdom are essential to a meaningful existence.
5
Q
- Socrates
Agree/Disagree
A
- Agree: The Socratic Method encourages deeper understanding and allows people to challenge their assumptions.
- Agree : The connection Socrates makes between virtue and happiness resonates with modern ideas about ethical living and well-being, reinforcing the importance of aligning actions with moral principles.
6
Q
- Socrates
Relevance/Significance to Philosophy and/or the Real World
A
- In the real world, the Socratic Method is widely used in education, law, and conflict resolution to foster critical thinking, uncover biases, and encourage reasoned dialogue.
- Socrates’ Emphasis on questioning authority and seeking truth remains central to philosophical inquiry.
7
Q
- Thomas White’s Criteria on Personhood
3 Specific Knowledge Points
A
- Sentience as a Core Criterion: White argues that personhood should be determined by the capacity for sentience, meaning the ability to experience sensations and emotions.
- Dolphins as Persons: White applies his criteria to non-human animals, particularly dolphins, asserting that their complex social structures, self-awareness, and communication abilities qualify them as persons under his definition.
- Moral and Ethical Obligations: White’s criteria emphasize the ethical responsibility to protect beings who qualify as persons, advocating for their moral rights and legal protections.
8
Q
- Thomas White’s Criteria on Personhood
Agree/Disagree
A
- I agree with White’s criteria on personhood because it broadens the ethical considerations beyond humans, encouraging respect for intelligent and sentient beings
- Thomas whites Criteria on person hood also helps us Recognize dolphins as persons, for example, aligns with growing evidence of their cognitive and emotional capacities.
9
Q
- Thomas White’s Criteria on Personhood
Relevance/Significance to Philosophy and the Real World
A
- Philosophical Significance: White’s criteria challenge traditional metaphysical definitions of personhood, encouraging a shift from human-centric to sentience-based ethics.
- Real-World Impact: By extending personhood to non-human animals like dolphins, White’s criteria could influence laws, policies, and conservation efforts, promoting greater accountability for human actions that impact sentient beings.
10
Q
- Theories of Identity (David Hume, John Locke)
Three specific Knowledge Points
A
- David Hume: Hume argued that personal identity is a fiction created by the mind. He believed there is no permanent “self” but instead a bundle of perceptions and experiences that change constantly.
- John Locke: Locke emphasized the importance of memory in defining personal identity. According to him, a person’s identity is tied to their consciousness and their ability to remember past experiences.
- Comparison: While Locke sees continuity in identity through memory, Hume denies the existence of a unified, continuous self, highlighting the fragmentary nature of our experiences.
11
Q
- Theories of Identity (David Hume, John Locke)
Agree/Disagree
A
- Agree with Locke : I agree with Locke’s emphasis on memory as a critical component of identity, as it explains how we link past, present, and future selves.
- Agree with Hume: I partially agree with Hume’s skepticism, as it challenges us to think critically about what constitutes the self.
12
Q
- Theories of Identity (David Hume, John Locke)
Relevance/Significance to Philosophy and the Real World
A
- To Philosophy: These theories shape ongoing debates about personal identity, especially in relation to morality, responsibility, and consciousness,
- To the Real World: Understanding identity impacts fields like psychology, neuroscience, and artificial intelligence, offering insights into issues such as mental health, the ethics of AI consciousness, and even legal definitions of personhood.
13
Q
- Jeremy Bentham (The Good Life)
Three Specific Knowledge Points
A
- Utilitarianism: Jeremy Bentham is the founder of utilitarianism, a philosophical theory that defines “the good life” as one that maximizes happiness or pleasure for the greatest number of people.
- Hedonic Calculus: Bentham developed the hedonic calculus, a method for measuring pleasure and pain.
- Reform and Progress: Bentham’s philosophy aimed to promote social reform. He believed that laws, policies, and institutions should be designed to reduce suffering and increase happiness, laying the groundwork for modern discussions about justice, welfare, and human rights.
14
Q
- Jeremy Bentham (The Good Life)
Agree/Disagree
A
- I agree with Bentham’s perspective on Ulitarnisusm because it provides a clear framework for decision-making based on measurable outcomes. while also focusing on aligning human instincts/aspirations for maximizing happiness.
- Other’s may agree that that utilitarianism overlooks individual rights and justice. By prioritizing the majority’s happiness, it risks justifying actions that harm minorities, making it morally problematic in certain cases.
15
Q
- Jeremy Bentham (The Good Life)
Relevance/Significance to Philosophy and/or the Real World
A
- Philosophical Impact: Bentham’s utilitarianism revolutionized ethics by shifting the focus to consequentialism, influencing later thinkers like John Stuart Mill.
- Real-World Application: Utilitarianism is widely applied in policy-making, economics, and healthcare, where maximizing public benefit is a priority.
16
Q
- What is Good? (Epicurus, Cynics)
3 Specific Knowledge Points
A
- Epicurus: “The good” is the pursuit of pleasure, defined as the absence of pain (ataraxia) and achieving mental tranquility. Epicurus advocated for simple living, intellectual pleasures, and moderation.
- Cynics: For the Cynics, “the good” is living in harmony with nature. They rejected material possessions, societal conventions, and pursued a life of self-sufficiency (autarkeia) and virtue.
- Both philosophies prioritize independence and self-control but differ in their methods: Epicurus focuses on achieving pleasure and tranquility, while the Cynics emphasize virtue through radical simplicity and asceticism.
17
Q
- What is Good? (Epicurus, Cynics)
Agree/Disagree
A
- Agree: I agree with the focus on simplicity and independence. Both philosophies encourage inner peace and self-awareness, which are essential for a fulfilling life.
- I disagree with the Cynics’ extreme rejection of social structures. While freedom from materialism is valuable, complete detachment can isolate individuals and limit opportunities for personal growth within society.
18
Q
- What is Good? (Epicurus, Cynics)
Relevance/Significance to Philosophy and/or the Real World
A
- Epicurus’ ideas are relevant in contemporary discussions about happiness and mental health, emphasizing balance, mindfulness, and contentment over materialistic pursuits.
- The Cynics’ philosophy inspires movements like minimalism and sustainability, challenging societal norms and encouraging a reevaluation of what is truly necessary for a meaningful life.
19
Q
- Plato’s Rings of Gyges
3 Specific Knowledge Points
A
- The Origin of the Idea: The Ring of Gyges is a thought experiment introduced by Plato in The Republic, Book II. It is presented by Glaucon to challenge Socrates’ views on justice, suggesting that people act justly only due to societal pressures and fear of consequences.
- The Ring’s Power: The ring grants its wearer the power to become invisible at will. This ability allows the wearer to act without accountability, raising questions about morality and human behavior when freed from consequences.
- The Central Question: Glaucon argues that if a just person and an unjust person both possessed the ring, they would act in the same selfish and immoral ways. This implies that justice is not inherent but a social construct imposed to maintain order.
20
Q
- Plato’s Rings of Gyges
Agree/Disagree
A
- Agree/Disagree: I agree/disagree with the idea that justice is merely a societal construct, as it oversimplifies the complexity of human morality.
- An example of why I agree with the idea of Plato’s ring of gypes is many individuals choose to act justly even when no one is watching, driven by personal principles, empathy, or religious/moral beliefs.
21
Q
- Plato’s Rings of Gyges
Relevance/Significance to Philosophy and the Real World
A
- Philosophical Significance: The Ring of Gyges raises enduring questions about the nature of justice, morality, and human behavior, influencing ethical discussions in philosophy. It challenges us to consider whether morality is intrinsic or conditional.
- Real-World Relevance: In modern contexts, this idea is relevant in discussions about power and accountability. For example, how individuals or organizations behave when they operate without oversight (e.g., corporate scandals or online anonymity) mirrors the issues raised by the Ring of Gyges.
22
Q
- Theories of Morality: Hedonism & Altruism
3 Specific Knowledge Points
A
- Hedonism: This theory holds that pleasure or happiness is the highest good and the ultimate aim of human life. Ethical hedonism advocates that actions are morally right if they maximize pleasure and minimize pain.
- Altruism: This perspective emphasizes selfless concern for the well-being of others. Actions are considered morally right if they prioritize the needs and interests of others over personal gain.
- Tension Between Hedonism and Altruism: While hedonism is often associated with self-interest, altruism advocates for the sacrifice of self-interest.
23
Q
- Theories of Morality: Hedonism & Altruism
Agree/Disagree
A
- I agree with both theories because Hedonism, when guided by responsible and ethical boundaries, can foster personal fulfillment. However, altruism promotes empathy and social harmony, which are essential for a just society.
- While pursuing personal happiness is valid, excessive self-interest can lead to selfishness. Similarly, extreme altruism might lead to neglect of one’s own needs.
24
Q
- Theories of Morality: Hedonism & Altruism
Relevance/Significance to Philosophy and the Real World
A
- Philosophical Significance: They challenge us to consider whether morality is rooted in self-interest, selflessness, or a combination of both.
- Real-World Application: In everyday life, hedonism influences consumer behaviour, self-care, and personal goals, while altruism is evident in charity, volunteering, and social justice
