Introduction to Philosophy Quiz

Unit 1: Intro to Philosophy

• Philosophy: The study of fundamental questions about existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language. It emphasizes critical thinking and the search for wisdom. Derived from Greek words "phlio" (love) and "sophia" (wisdom).
• Why Study Philosophy? Improves problem-solving abilities by analyzing concepts, definitions, arguments, and problems. Provides opportunities to evaluate, reflect, and discuss philosophical questions and answers.
• Branches of Philosophy:
  • Logic: Study of valid reasoning and arguments; includes inductive (general conclusions from specifics) and deductive (logical conclusions from facts) reasoning.
  • Metaphysics: Examines the nature of existence, being, and the world; includes ontology (nature of being), natural theology, and universal science.
  • Epistemology: Explores the nature and scope of knowledge.
  • Ethics (Moral Philosophy): Addresses questions about right/wrong, good/bad, justice, and virtue.
  • Aesthetics: Deals with beauty, art, taste, and the appreciation of beauty.
  • Political Philosophy: Studies concepts like liberty, justice, property, rights, law, and authority.
  • Philosophy of Science: Examines issues raised by scientific research, methods, theories, and implications for humanity; distinguishes scientific investigation from philosophical inquiry.
• Key Philosophical Terms:
  • Cosmology: Study of the universe.
  • Ontology: Study of being, existence, and reality.
  • Wisdom: Good judgment based on knowledge and experience.
  • Morality: Principles of right/wrong behavior.
  • Knowledge: Understanding gained through experience, learning, or reasoning.
  • Truth: Accurate reflection of reality.
  • Absolute Truth: Universally true, independent of beliefs.
  • Relative Truth: True depending on perspective or experience.
  • Semantics: Meaning in language.
  • Natural Theology: Study of God through reason and observation of the natural world.
  • Syllogism: Form of deductive reasoning using two premises to reach a conclusion.
  • Categorical Syllogism: Syllogism with categorical statements (all, no, some).
  • Conditional Syllogism: Syllogism with conditional statements (if-then).
  • Premise: Statement supporting a conclusion.
  • Antecedent: "If" part of a conditional statement.
  • Consequent: "Then" part of a conditional statement.
  • Fallacy: Flawed or mistaken reasoning.
  • Formal Fallacy: Logical structure error.
  • Informal Fallacy: Reasoning/argumentation error.

Unit 2: Intro to Logic

• Logic: Study of valid reasoning, argument structure, and conclusions from premises.
• Reasoning:
  • Deductive: Conclusions guaranteed from general premises.
  • Inductive: Probabilistic conclusions from specific observations.
  • Abductive: Inference to the best explanation.
• Good Arguments: Valid premises leading to a true conclusion; a strong argument is both valid and sound.
• Syllogisms: Forms of deductive reasoning; include categorical (all, no, some) and conditional (if-then).
• Fallacies: Errors in reasoning; include formal (logical structure) and informal (content) fallacies.
• Common Fallacies:
  • Ad hominem: Attacks the person, not the argument.
  • Appeal to ignorance: Claims only one side is correct.
  • Appeal to popularity (Bandwagon): Assumes popularity equals correctness.
  • Misplaced authority: Authority not relevant to the topic.
  • Appeal to emotion: Uses emotions to persuade.
  • Red herring/Ignoring the question: Changes the subject.
  • Straw man: Distorts opponent's argument.
  • Hasty generalization: Conclusions based on limited examples.
  • Slippery slope: Exaggerates consequences of actions.
  • Post hoc/False cause: Assumes one event caused another.
  • Double standard: Different rules/standards for different groups.
  • Begging the question (Circular argument): Answers without answering.
• Bias: Cognitive distortions influencing reasoning (confirmation bias, anchoring bias).
• Four Idols (Bacon):
  • Tribe: Inherent human biases.
  • Cave: Personal biases based on experience.
  • Marketplace: Confusion due to language issues.
  • Theater: Biases from traditional philosophies/ideologies.

Unit 3: Foundations of Philosophy

• Buddhism:
  • Four Noble Truths: Suffering's existence, origin, end, and path to the end.
  • Middle Way: Moderation and balance to end suffering.
  • Eightfold Path: Practical guide to enlightenment and ethical living.
• Confucius: Focused on moral cultivation, service to the state, and leadership by educated individuals.
• The Analects: Collection of Confucius' sayings on ethics and virtue.
• Virtuous Life: Emphasizes filial piety, benevolence, righteousness; cultivating moral character for personal and social well-being.
• Pre-Socratics: Philosophers before Socrates, focused on cosmos, substance, and change. Included Pythagoras, Heraclitus, Parmenides, Thales, Anaximander, Democritus, Xenophanes, and Leucippus/Zeno.

Unit 4: The Medieval Era

• Key Philosophers: Diogenes, Neoplatonists, Epicurus, Plotinus, St. Augustine, St. Thomas Aquinas, Avicenna, Averroes, Marcus Aurelius (stoic philosophy).
• Christianity: Synthesis of Greek philosophy (Platonism) and Jewish religious teachings.

Unit 5: The Modern Era

• Key Philosophers: Descartes ("Cogito, ergo sum"), Pascal (Wager on God), Bentham/Mill (Utilitarianism), Kierkegaard (Existentialism), Nietzsche (Critique of religion and morality).
• Skepticism: Doubt about knowledge claims.
• Pantheism/Panentheism: Pantheism (God=universe), Panentheism (God encompasses but is beyond universe).
• Utilitarianism: Actions benefitting the majority are right.
• Existentialism: Focus on individual freedom, choice, and meaning of life.
• Fides et Ratio: Faith and reason are complementary routes to truth.