Philosophy Final Flashcards by Ellie Zamora

What is Descartes the father of?

Modern philosophy

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What is the difference between rationalism and empiricism?

Rationalism: knowledge from reason; Empiricism: knowledge from senses

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What is the difference between ancient and modern philosophy?

Ancient: how to live well; Modern: how we know anything for sure

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What is scholasticism?

Medieval Christian philosophy blending Aristotle with theology

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Who created the philosophical system of scholasticism?

Thomas Aquinas

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Who is the most important philosopher of the Middle Ages?

Thomas Aquinas

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What did Descartes like about the scientific revolution?

Emphasis on math and mechanical laws

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What language is the Meditations written in?

Latin

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What does First Philosophy mean?

Foundational, metaphysical philosophy (what can be known for sure)

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What is the full title of the Meditations?

Meditations on First Philosophy in which the existence of God and the immortality of the soul are demonstrated

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How many Meditations are there?

Six

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Who did Descartes write the Dedicatory Letter to?

Faculty of Theology at the Sorbonne

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What is the easiest thing to know according to Descartes in the Dedicatory Letter?

That he exists

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What are the four stages of doubt?

(1) Senses deceive, (2) Dream doubt, (3) Math errors, (4) Evil genius

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What does it mean to doubt?

To withhold belief due to uncertainty

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Why can’t you be sure you’re not dreaming right now?

Dreams can mimic reality perfectly

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What specifically does the evil genius undermine your ability to do?

Trust logic and math

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Why can’t God be a deceiver for Descartes?

Deception = imperfection; God = perfection

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What is the difference between a simple and a combined science?

Simple: basic principles; Combined: complex applications

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What does Descartes mean by Archimedean Point?

A secure, unshakable foundation for knowledge

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What does Cogito Ergo Sum mean?

“I think, therefore I am”

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Why does Descartes doubt that we have a body, but not that we have a mind?

We can imagine no body, but thinking proves mind’s existence

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What’s another name for a substance?

Essence

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What kind are we?

Thinking substance

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What kind are material things?

Extended substance

What are the properties of a thinking thing?

* Doubting * Willing * Sensing * Imagining * Affirming * Denying

How do we know that we are a thinking thing?

Because doubting itself proves thinking

What does the wax example prove for Descartes?

Senses are unreliable; mind alone knows essence

What is the significance of the three dreams Descartes had when visiting Bavaria?

A calling to reform all knowledge

Why did Descartes like Holland?

Intellectual freedom

Who asked Descartes to tutor her in Sweden?

Queen Christina

How did Descartes die?

Pneumonia (from cold tutoring sessions)

What does Descartes mean by 'read book of the world'?

Learn by traveling and experience

What is the difference between objective and formal reality?

Objective = ideas in mind; Formal = real outside mind

How do we know this idea of God comes from God?

Only infinite reality could cause infinite idea

What does Descartes mean by something of less reality cannot cause something of more reality to come into existence?

Lesser can't cause greater

What kind of thought is the only one that has a truth value (true/false)?

Judgments

What are some of God’s attributes or qualities?

* Infinite * Perfect * Eternal * Omniscient

Why can’t Descartes be God?

Descartes is imperfect and finite

Why are we more certain of our dependence on God for our existence than on our parents?

God is ultimate cause, parents are secondary

How much formal reality does God have?

Infinite

How much objective reality does God have?

Infinite

What is an innate idea?

Built-in idea (not learned)

What kind of substance is God?

Infinite, immaterial substance

As finite creatures, what two things are we between?

Nothingness and God

Why didn’t God give us a flawed/defective intellect or will?

He didn’t; mistakes are from misusing our freedom

How do mistakes happen?

Will exceeds intellect

Whose fault is it?

Our fault

What kind of causes should we not worry about in physics?

Don't worry about final causes

What kind should we seek?

Seek efficient causes

Why can’t error/evil/mistakes be real?

They are privations (absences of good)

What is the difference between God’s responsibility and cooperation regarding bad things?

God permits but doesn’t directly cause evil

Why didn’t God make us perfect?

Only God is perfect; creatures are necessarily finite

What is the difference between essence and existence?

Essence = what; Existence = that it is

Does a clear and distinct idea necessarily have to exist?

No; e.g., perfect unicorn

How is God not like other clear and distinct ideas?

Existence is contained in the idea of God

What is the mountain/valley example?

Can’t think of mountain without valley (God and existence linked)

What is the faculty of imagination?

Forms mental images of things

How do we know about bodies, including our own?

Through intellect and senses

What can the imagination do?

Forms images

What can't the imagination do?

Can’t grasp pure intellect ideas

Can you have imagination without intellect?

Can you have intellect without imagination?

Yes

Why don’t we have to doubt everything all over again?

God guarantees clear and distinct perceptions

What is the difference between your mind and your body?

Mind = thinking; Body = extended

How do mind and body interact for Descartes?

Via the pineal gland

What are the two reasons you’re not dreaming right now?

* Continuity * Coherence of experiences

How does Elisabeth criticize Descartes’ mind-body interaction?

Mind can't move matter

How does Descartes respond to Elisabeth's criticism?

Vaguely says 'special union'

What is Elisabeth's solution?

Rethink connection as physical force

What was Schopenhauer’s argument about existence?

Existence = suffering

How does art help us cope with existence?

Art = temporary escape

What was Nietzsche’s first book?

The Birth of Tragedy

Which two Gods united to create Greek tragedy for Nietzsche?

* Apollo * Dionysus

How does their union create art?

Apollo (order) + Dionysus (chaos)

Why does art decline?

Decline from rise of rationalism (Socrates)

Why does Nietzsche say 'God is Dead'?

Science and rationalism kill traditional belief

What is the eternal return in Nietzsche?

Life endlessly repeats

What does Nietzsche mean by the Übermensch?

One who creates their own values and overcomes nihilism

Who are Nietzsche’s Last Men?

Comfort-seekers, avoid greatness, shallow living

Philosophy Final Flashcards

Memorization (80 cards)