Untitled Deck Flashcards
(30 cards)
What is Epistemology?
Epistemology is the branch of philosophy concerned with the nature, scope, and limits of knowledge.
Define Empiricism.
Empiricism is the theory that all knowledge is derived from sensory experience.
What is Rationalism?
Rationalism is the belief that knowledge is primarily gained through reason and intellectual insight rather than sensory experience.
Who is associated with the theory of ‘tabula rasa’?
John Locke is associated with the theory of ‘tabula rasa,’ which suggests that the mind is a blank slate at birth.
What does Descartes’ ‘Cogito, ergo sum’ mean?
It means ‘I think, therefore I am,’ and it serves as Descartes’ foundational statement in establishing his own existence.
What is the Problem of Evil in the Philosophy of Religion?
The Problem of Evil questions how an omnipotent, omnibenevolent, and omniscient God can coexist with the existence of evil in the world.
What is the ‘Euthyphro Dilemma’?
It is a question posed by Socrates in Plato’s dialogue, asking whether something is morally good because God commands it, or if God commands it because it is morally good.
Define the Ontological Argument for the existence of God.
The Ontological Argument is a priori and argues that God’s existence is self-evident through reason alone, based on the definition of God as a ‘being than which nothing greater can be conceived.’
What is the ‘Problem of Induction’?
The Problem of Induction questions whether inductive reasoning (drawing general conclusions from specific observations) can be logically justified.
What is Utilitarianism?
Utilitarianism is an ethical theory that advocates for actions that maximize overall happiness or well-being for the greatest number of people.
Who developed the principle of Utilitarianism?
The principle of Utilitarianism was developed by philosophers Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill.
Define ‘deontological ethics’.
Deontological ethics is an ethical theory that suggests that actions are morally obligatory, permissible, or forbidden based on rules or principles, regardless of the consequences.
Who is associated with the concept of the ‘categorical imperative’?
Immanuel Kant is associated with the concept of the ‘categorical imperative,’ a moral law that applies universally and unconditionally.
What is the Trolley Problem?
The Trolley Problem is a thought experiment in ethics that asks whether it is morally acceptable to sacrifice one life to save five others.
What is the Allegory of the Cave?
The Allegory of the Cave is a philosophical metaphor used by Plato to illustrate how humans can be trapped in ignorance and how education leads to enlightenment.
What does Aristotle mean by ‘the golden mean’?
Aristotle’s concept of the ‘golden mean’ suggests that virtue lies between the extremes of excess and deficiency.
What is the ‘Cogito’ argument by Descartes?
Descartes’ ‘Cogito’ argument suggests that one’s existence is certain because the act of doubting one’s existence proves that one is thinking, and therefore, one exists.
What is a ‘necessary condition’?
A necessary condition is something that must be true for a statement or event to occur, but it alone does not guarantee the outcome.
What is a ‘sufficient condition’?
A sufficient condition is one that guarantees the truth of a statement or the occurrence of an event.
Define ‘Libertarian Free Will’.
Libertarian Free Will is the belief that humans have the ability to choose freely and are not determined by prior causes.
What is Compatibilism?
Compatibilism is the belief that free will and determinism are compatible, and that humans can act freely within a deterministic framework.
What is the ‘Problem of Other Minds’?
The Problem of Other Minds is the philosophical issue of how one can know the existence and nature of other minds beyond one’s own.
What is ‘theism’?
Theism is the belief in the existence of a god or gods, especially a personal god who is actively involved in the world.
What is the ‘Causal Argument’ for the existence of God?
The Causal Argument argues that everything in the universe has a cause, and there must be a first, uncaused cause, which is identified as God.
