Philosophy Key Words

Question 1

Particulars/phenomena

Answer 1

The mutable (changing) things we witness in the world of the senses

E.g-flowers

Question 2

Immutable

Answer 2

Unchanging

Question 3

Form

Answer 3

Platos description of a perfect unchanging concept, or ideal in the world of forms

E.g-the form of the good

Question 4

Anamnesis

Answer 4

The soul remembering the forms

Question 5

Empiricism

Answer 5

All knowledge and truth are derived from the senses, experiences and observations

Question 6

Motus

Answer 6

A Greek world meaning- constant change, observed in the world

Question 7

Telos

Answer 7

Means end or purpose

Question 8

The material cause

Answer 8

Describes the matter or substance that something is made from

Doesn’t explain how or why change occurs

Question 9

The efficient cause

Answer 9

Describes the process of coming into existence. Describes the process of change

Question 10

The formal cause

Answer 10

Describes how we know what something is, its shape and characteristics.

It explains motus by describing the result of change from the material cause, through the efficient cause into the object that it is

Question 11

The final cause

Answer 11

What is the purpose of the object and why was it created (telos). Viewed as the most important cause of

Question 12

The prime mover

Answer 12

Aristotles explanation for continuous change

It’s the final cause of movement and change because it draws things towards itself, without doing anything itself

Question 13

Dualism

Answer 13

The view that we are made of two separate and different elements- material body and spiritual soul

Question 14

Monism

Answer 14

The view that we are simply a single being- Aristotle

Question 15

Consciousness

Answer 15

describes intellect, thinking and being aware of who we are

Question 16

Logical fallacy

Answer 16

An error is logical thinking

Question 17

Theism

Answer 17

A belief in a god this is active and involved with the world

Question 18

The teleological argument

Answer 18

An argument for the existence of god that comes from the evidence of order in nature (design argument)

Question 19

A posteriori argument

Answer 19

An argument based on sense experience and observations of evidence- linked to empiricism

Question 20

Fallacy of composition

Answer 20

What’s observed about the parts can’t be assumed to be the same for the whole

Question 21

Epicurean hypothesis

Answer 21

Finite particles given infinite time will eventually form order.

Home developed this idea from Epicurus

Question 22

Infinite regress

Answer 22

A chain of events going backwards forever

Question 23

Contingent

Answer 23

Can exist or not exist and relies on something outside of itself to exist

E.g- a baby brought into existence by its parents relies on food and oxygen to survive

Question 24

Deism

Answer 24

Belief in a creator that started the world but then had no further involvement with it

Question 25

Necessary being

Answer 25

Can’t not exist, doesn’t rely on anything for its own existence and holds reason for its being within itself

Question 26

Inductive

Answer 26

Evidence is collected from observations and experiences to suggest a hypothesis which is then reinforced by further observations and evidence. An inductive argument can only lead to a probable or possible solution. It’s the basis of scientific investigations

Question 27

A priori argument

Answer 27

A type of philosophical argument that relies on logic and reasoning. Empirical evidence isn’t used

Question 28

Analytic statement

Answer 28

A statement that contains the truth needed to verify it within the statement itself. It’s true because of its meaning E.g- all apples are fruits

Question 29

Synthetic statement

Answer 29

A statement that needs external evidence to verify if it’s true or false E.g- its raining outside

Question 30

Predicate

Answer 30

Adds something to the description of a subject or object

Question 31

Mystical experience

Answer 31

An experience of something beyond normal awareness, something described as super/sub sense

Question 32

A Passive experience

Answer 32

People feeling the weren’t in control of the experience and as if another power was acting on them

Question 33

Ineffable experience

Answer 33

The experience was difficult to put into words

Question 34

Noetic experience

Answer 34

The experience provided insight or knowledge grasped through intuition

Question 35

Transient experience

Answer 35

The experience lasted a short time (less than 30 mins) but had a much more significant effect on the person, often life long

Question 36

Conversion experience

Answer 36

A change of heart and turning of one’s priorities, following a new direction in life

Question 37

Pragmatism

Answer 37

The effects on and value to the individual Used by James to emphasise the importance of the effects of a religious experience because they show it holds value for the individual

Question 38

Pluralism

Answer 38

All religions are valuable and hold truth

Question 39

Mass hysteria

Answer 39

Collective obsessional behaviour, with physical and psychological symptoms

Question 40

Corporate religious experience

Answer 40

A religious experience shared with many

Question 41

Principle of testimony

Answer 41

We should assume people are telling the truth unless we have a good reason to believe otherwise

Question 42

Principle of credulity

Answer 42

Things are as they seem to be unless we have evidence to the contrary

Question 43

Theodicy

Answer 43

A defence or justification for god in the face of evil and suffering

Question 44

Privation

Answer 44

A lack of goodness

Question 45

Universal salvation

Answer 45

Everyone is saved or welcomed into heaven after death

Question 46

Epistemic distance

Answer 46

Humans can’t know or be sure that god exists in order to preserve free will

Question 47

Vale of soul making

Answer 47

This world, where natural and moral evil have a purpose, to allow humans to develop into the likeness of god