Philosophy

Question 1

Eudaimonia

Answer 1

Greek word commonly translated as ‘happiness’ or ‘welfare’; however, more accurate translations have been proposed to be ‘human flourishing, prosperity’ and ‘blessedness’.

Question 2

Existence before Essence

Answer 2

Jean-Paul Sartre - Human beings—through their consciousness—create their own values and determine a meaning for their life because the human being does not possess any inherent identity or value.

Question 3

I-Thou (You) and I-It

Answer 3

Martin Buber - I-You treats people as ends in themselves and I-It treats them as means to an end. To get to I-You, be present at all times, engage in reciprocity, see them as complete beings. I-It sees people as either obstacles or vending machines.

Question 4

Aporia

Answer 4

Jacques Derrida - Being confused by breaking free of black/white thinking. It doesn’t have to be A or B, but both likely contain some truth. This grey area can be confusing. Old Greek word that means impasse or puzzlement.

Question 5

Cogito, ergo sum

Answer 5

Descartes - I think therefore I am. A statement that could not be doubted and proves existance.

Question 6

Edmund Burke on the Sublime

Answer 6

To experience the sublime is to make someone change their perspective on life. A thunderstorm is sublime because it is large and terrible. A sculpture is sublime to make us wonder at the power of man. Religion does this well.

Question 7

Three maxim on the oracle of Delphi

Answer 7

“know thyself”, “nothing to excess” and “surety brings ruin”.

Question 8

thesis, antithesis, synthesis

Answer 8

Attributed to Hegel but actually older. Idea that first you have movement, then a reaction, then taking what is needed while discarding what isn’t needed.