Introduction to Philosophy

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Questions and Answers

Exposure to which literary work influenced Bertrand Russell's rejection of religious belief?

  • John Stuart Mill's Autobiography (correct)
  • The Bible
  • The Divine Comedy
  • Paradise Lost

According to Jean-Paul Sartre, what fundamental characteristic do humans lack at birth?

  • A soul
  • The capacity for reason
  • Free will
  • Predetermined essence (correct)

Which mythological figure did Albert Camus employ to illustrate the absurdity of human existence?

  • Icarus
  • Narcissus
  • Oedipus
  • Sisyphus (correct)

Ludwig Wittgenstein's Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus is primarily concerned with:

<p>The structure of language and its relationship to reality (D)</p>
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What phrase did Hannah Arendt coin to describe the unsettling ordinariness of Adolf Eichmann?

<p>The banality of evil (D)</p>
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What is the primary function of the "Veil of Ignorance" in John Rawls's thought experiment, the "Original Position?"

<p>To promote fairness and impartiality (B)</p>
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According to John Searle, what is the critical element missing in artificial intelligence that prevents true understanding?

<p>Intentionality and semantic comprehension (D)</p>
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Peter Singer's philosophical approach is characterized by:

<p>Addressing pressing social and ethical issues (A)</p>
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According to Immanuel Kant, what is the defining characteristic of enlightenment?

<p>Independent thinking and critical reasoning (D)</p>
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In Growing Up Absurd, Paul Goodman critiques modern society for:

<p>Both B and C (A)</p>
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Which philosopher followed Plato in focusing on the details of child rearing and education?

<p>Jean-Jacques Rousseau (C)</p>
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What core values are central to the commitment to enlightenment?

<p>Rationality, individual freedom, and intellectual curiosity (C)</p>
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According to Hannah Arendt, what saves the world and brings new possibilities?

<p>Natality (birth and new beginnings) (C)</p>
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According to Susan Neiman, what must one do to be considered "grown up"?

<p>Question or reject traditional ways of thinking (A)</p>
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What general trend does the U-bend of happiness illustrate regarding happiness and aging?

<p>Happiness dips in midlife but tends to increase in later years (C)</p>
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What is a common misinterpretation of Shakespeare's play As You Like It?

<p>An endorsement of the past over the present, or country life over city life (A)</p>
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According to John Kaag, what makes William James particularly relevant in contemporary times?

<p>His ideas on individualism, spiritual growth, and finding meaning in life (D)</p>
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According to William James, what philosophical concept is inherently at odds with determinism?

<p>Free will (D)</p>
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According to William James, what realization about habits would cause young people to take their conduct more seriously?

<p>Habits formed in youth will determine their future (B)</p>
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In Life is Hard, How Philosophy Can Help Us Find Our Way, does Kieran Setiya argue that everything happens for a reason?

<p>No, he focuses on navigating life's challenges and hardships. (B)</p>
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Flashcards

Who caused Russell to reject God?

John Stuart Mill's Autobiography

What did Jean-Paul Sartre say humans lack?

Humans don't have a predetermined essence.

How did Camus illustrate absurdity?

Albert Camus used the myth of Sisyphus.

Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus' main message?

Challenges traditional notions of language, meaning, and reality.

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Arendt's phrase for Eichmann's ordinariness?

"The banality of evil."

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Rawls' thought experiment for justice?

"Original Position" with the "Veil of Ignorance."

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Searle's view on true understanding?

Intentionality and semantic comprehension.

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How does Peter Singer embody philosophy?

Demonstrates the relevance and importance of philosophical inquiry.

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Kant's definition of enlightenment?

Individuals think for themselves, using their own reason and critical thinking.

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Goodman's view on growing up?

Modern society fails to provide meaningful opportunities, stifling creativity.

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Philosopher after Plato focused on rearing?

Rousseau's "Emile" emphasizes a natural, child-centered approach.

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Committed to enlightenment means what?

Thinking for yourself, being intellectually free.

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According to Arendt, the miracle that saves?

Natality, the fact of birth and new beginnings.

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Neiman: When are you grown up?

Questioning or rejecting traditional ways of thinking and conventional norms.

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What does the U-bend tell about aging?

Happiness often dips in midlife but tends to increase again in later years.

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Misunderstanding of "As You Like It"?

The past is better than the present.

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Why is James relevant today?

individualism, spiritual growth, and finding meaning.

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James on success vs. determinism?

Determinism has antipathy to the idea of free will.

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Young's conduct to James?

That habits formed in youth will determine their future.

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Thoreau say at the end of Walden?

Living deliberately, connection to nature, and simplicity.

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Study Notes

  • Reading John Stuart Mill's Autobiography led young Bertrand Russell to reject belief in God.
  • Jean-Paul Sartre stated that humans do not have a predetermined essence.
  • Albert Camus used the myth of Sisyphus to illustrate human absurdity.
  • Ludwig Wittgenstein's Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus challenges traditional notions of language, meaning, and reality.
  • The Tractatus significantly influenced modern philosophy, especially in logic, semantics, and epistemology.
  • Hannah Arendt described Adolf Eichmann's ordinariness with the phrase "the banality of evil."
  • Eichmann appeared remarkably ordinary despite his responsibility for atrocities, lacking extraordinary motives or characteristics.
  • John Rawls called his thought experiment the "Original Position," using the "Veil of Ignorance" as its primary device.
  • Rawls' thought experiment aims to promote fairness and impartiality in designing principles of justice for society.
  • John Searle argues that truly understanding something involves intentionality and semantic comprehension, which is lacking in computers.
  • Searle's Chinese Room Argument challenges Alan Turing's notion of intelligence as proposed in his Turing Test.
  • Peter Singer embodies the best tradition in philosophy by demonstrating the relevance of philosophical inquiry in addressing pressing social and ethical issues.
  • Immanuel Kant defines enlightenment as requiring individuals to think for themselves, using their own reason and critical thinking, rather than relying on external authority or tradition.
  • Paul Goodman's "Growing Up Absurd" argues modern society fails to provide young people with meaningful opportunities, stifling creativity and idealism.
  • Goodman critiques the rigid structures of society and advocates for more freedom, autonomy, and creative expression for youth.
  • Jean-Jacques Rousseau significantly contributed to ideas on child rearing and education after Plato.
  • Rousseau's book "Emile" emphasizes a natural and child-centered approach.
  • Commitment to enlightenment involves valuing rationality, individual freedom, and intellectual curiosity.
  • Being committed to enlightenment means thinking for yourself, using reason, and being intellectually free.
  • Hannah Arendt believes the miracle that saves the world is natality, bringing new possibilities and hope for change.
  • Susan Neiman suggests you are not grown up if you’ve not questioned or rejected traditional ways of thinking and conventional norms.
  • The U-bend shows that happiness often dips in midlife but tends to increase again in later years.
  • Shakespeare's "As You Like It" is often misunderstood as promoting the idea that "the past is better than the present" or "country life is better than city life."
  • William James is particularly relevant today because his ideas on individualism, spiritual growth, and finding meaning can help people navigate modern challenges and find fulfillment.
  • William James believed determinism has antipathy to the idea of free will.
  • Determinism suggests the universe has a fixed course of events, leaving no room for genuine choices or decisions.
  • William James stated that realizing habits formed in youth determine their future would make young people give more heed to their conduct.
  • Kieran Setiya does not believe everything happens for a reason but focuses on navigating life's challenges and hardships.
  • Kieran Setiya discusses Descartes' eternal truths needing God's volition, Wittgenstein's idea that language is social (not private), and differences between Continental and analytic philosophy.
  • Epicurus viewed death as the end of sensation and consciousness, leading to non-concern or indifference and not something to fear or mourn.
  • P.F. Strawson and Galen Strawson disagreed on the nature and possibility of moral responsibility.
  • P.F. Strawson argued for compatibilism, moral responsibility is compatible with determinism.
  • Galen Strawson rejects compatibilism and argues true moral responsibility is impossible.
  • Telic activities are goal-oriented, while atelic activities are enjoyed for their own sake.
  • Focusing too much on goals (telic activities) can lead to stress and missing out on enjoying the process (atelic activities).
  • Phil Connors is freed from the time loop in Groundhog Day by becoming a better person through kindness, selflessness, and genuine care for others.
  • Simone Weil and Iris Murdoch suggest we need attention to truly understand suffering and selflessness to genuinely care about others.
  • Weil and Murdoch says we do not need excessive intellectualizing or self-centeredness to develop compassion and respond meaningfully to suffering and injustice.
  • Rebecca Solnit says hope motivates action, even when outcomes are uncertain.
  • Creating change is a form of activism, not passivity.
  • At the end of Walden, Henry David Thoreau emphasizes living deliberately, simplicity, and connection to nature.
  • Thoreau encourages readers to evaluate their lives, focus on essential values, and live consciously.
  • For William James, facts are specific, verifiable pieces of information, while truth concerns the practical significance and usefulness of those facts.
  • James's hallway metaphor for pragmatism reminds John Kaag of Immanuel Kant's approach because both emphasize method and structure, connecting different perspectives.
  • Pragmatism, like a hallway, links philosophical viewpoints, allowing exploration and integration of different ideas.
  • William James stated resignation is passive acceptance that leads to inaction while hope is an active, positive force to shape beliefs and motivate action, even without certainty.
  • William James argued hope can justify belief in certain situations when faced with significant, uncertain choices.
  • Seamus Heaney suggested, "History says, don't hope on this side of the grave. But then, once in a lifetime... hope and history rhyme," indicating fleeting moments of justice can reconcile with reality.
  • In her 60s, Simone de Beauvoir embraced the poetry of Nâzım Hikmet, a Turkish communist poet.
  • Agnes Callard's perspective on being a woman leans towards a philosophical viewpoint rather than informational or managerial.
  • John Kaag and Clancy Martin said Western culture tries too hard to achieve happiness by ourselves, quoting a Buddhist master.
  • Thoreau's daily routine involved living simply at Walden Pond, writing, reading, and gardening, connecting with nature.
  • Marcus Aurelius' daily routine involved governing as Roman emperor, reflecting on Stoic philosophy, and writing Meditations.

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