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Questions and Answers
Which of the following best describes the focus of metaphysics?
Which of the following best describes the focus of metaphysics?
What is the literal meaning of the term 'metaphysics'?
What is the literal meaning of the term 'metaphysics'?
Which branch of metaphysics specifically studies the nature of being and existence?
Which branch of metaphysics specifically studies the nature of being and existence?
Cosmology, as a branch of metaphysics, is most concerned with:
Cosmology, as a branch of metaphysics, is most concerned with:
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What is the primary focus of epistemology?
What is the primary focus of epistemology?
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What is a key question raised by epistemology concerning knowledge?
What is a key question raised by epistemology concerning knowledge?
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Which of these topics falls into the realm of metaphysics?
Which of these topics falls into the realm of metaphysics?
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What does the philosophical understanding of 'knowledge' emphasize?
What does the philosophical understanding of 'knowledge' emphasize?
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Which philosopher proposed that change occurs through the domination of particles, resulting in new entities?
Which philosopher proposed that change occurs through the domination of particles, resulting in new entities?
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What are atoms like in the theory of Democritus?
What are atoms like in the theory of Democritus?
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What describes the core idea behind the concept of causality?
What describes the core idea behind the concept of causality?
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Why can we say that appearance differs from reality?
Why can we say that appearance differs from reality?
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What is the significance of the 'material cause' in the context of causality?
What is the significance of the 'material cause' in the context of causality?
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Which of the following best describes the skepticism of Plato towards sensory perception?
Which of the following best describes the skepticism of Plato towards sensory perception?
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According to the passage, how do atoms interact to cause change, according to Democritus?
According to the passage, how do atoms interact to cause change, according to Democritus?
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In the context of the text, what is meant by 'the world of forms,' as mentioned by Plato?
In the context of the text, what is meant by 'the world of forms,' as mentioned by Plato?
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What is a central question that the concepts of freewill and determinism have generated in the history of philosophy?
What is a central question that the concepts of freewill and determinism have generated in the history of philosophy?
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What did the Ionians unanimously agree on regarding the nature of reality?
What did the Ionians unanimously agree on regarding the nature of reality?
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Which Ionian philosopher proposed that the basic substance of the universe was 'the infinite or indeterminate'?
Which Ionian philosopher proposed that the basic substance of the universe was 'the infinite or indeterminate'?
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How did the Idealists understand the concept of unity and diversity?
How did the Idealists understand the concept of unity and diversity?
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According to Malebranche's occasionalism, what is the direct cause of mental events?
According to Malebranche's occasionalism, what is the direct cause of mental events?
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What is the significant difference between the monists and the pluralists regarding reality?
What is the significant difference between the monists and the pluralists regarding reality?
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What is a key difference between occasionalism and pre-established harmony?
What is a key difference between occasionalism and pre-established harmony?
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What is the persistent philosophical problem that is still being discussed?
What is the persistent philosophical problem that is still being discussed?
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According to Leibniz, how do the mind and body operate?
According to Leibniz, how do the mind and body operate?
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Which philosopher considered air to be the basic stuff of the universe?
Which philosopher considered air to be the basic stuff of the universe?
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What does the concept of 'facticity' refer to in the context of occasionalism?
What does the concept of 'facticity' refer to in the context of occasionalism?
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What is a key difference between the views of the earliest Ionians and the Idealists, as presented in the text?
What is a key difference between the views of the earliest Ionians and the Idealists, as presented in the text?
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According to the text what is the relationship between thinking and rationality?
According to the text what is the relationship between thinking and rationality?
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How does human rationality differentiate humans from other animals, according to the text?
How does human rationality differentiate humans from other animals, according to the text?
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What is the role of logic in philosophy, based on the context?
What is the role of logic in philosophy, based on the context?
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What is illustrated by the mirage example in the section on 'Logic as a tool of philosophy'?
What is illustrated by the mirage example in the section on 'Logic as a tool of philosophy'?
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From which Greek word is 'logic' derived?
From which Greek word is 'logic' derived?
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What is a primary focus of logic, as described in the text?
What is a primary focus of logic, as described in the text?
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What does logic seek to provide?
What does logic seek to provide?
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What role does artificial language play in logical processes?
What role does artificial language play in logical processes?
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What is the relationship between thinking and reasoning based on the text?
What is the relationship between thinking and reasoning based on the text?
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What does the text identify as the limitation of logic?
What does the text identify as the limitation of logic?
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What does logic attempt to determine regarding arguments?
What does logic attempt to determine regarding arguments?
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What is a key function of logic involving the simplification and symbolization of sentences, according to the text?
What is a key function of logic involving the simplification and symbolization of sentences, according to the text?
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What is the primary function of logic, according to the text?
What is the primary function of logic, according to the text?
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What does 'to argue' mean?
What does 'to argue' mean?
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What are the fundamental elements of an argument, based on the text?
What are the fundamental elements of an argument, based on the text?
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In the context of an argument, what is the role of the 'premises'?
In the context of an argument, what is the role of the 'premises'?
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What role do propositions play in forming an argument?
What role do propositions play in forming an argument?
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How does logic contribute to advancements in technology?
How does logic contribute to advancements in technology?
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What is the purpose of presenting evidence during an argument?
What is the purpose of presenting evidence during an argument?
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In a typical argumentative structure, what role do the first two propositions usually play?
In a typical argumentative structure, what role do the first two propositions usually play?
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Flashcards
Metaphysics
Metaphysics
The study of the fundamental nature of reality, going beyond what our senses can perceive.
Ontology
Ontology
A branch of metaphysics that explores the nature of existence, including material and immaterial beings. It examines concepts like substance, essence, and accidents.
Cosmology
Cosmology
The branch of metaphysics that studies the universe, focusing on its structure, origin, and composition. It explores questions about the universe's creation and evolution.
Epistemology
Epistemology
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Practical Philosophy
Practical Philosophy
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Cosmological Outlook
Cosmological Outlook
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Darwinism
Darwinism
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Big Bang Theory
Big Bang Theory
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Unity and Diversity
Unity and Diversity
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Monism
Monism
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Pluralism
Pluralism
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Mind-Body Interaction
Mind-Body Interaction
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Determinism
Determinism
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Free Will
Free Will
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Change in Ancient Philosophy
Change in Ancient Philosophy
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Anaxagoras' Theory of Change
Anaxagoras' Theory of Change
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Democritus' Atomic Theory of Change
Democritus' Atomic Theory of Change
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Problem of Appearance and Reality
Problem of Appearance and Reality
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Skepticism of the Senses
Skepticism of the Senses
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Plato's Theory of Forms
Plato's Theory of Forms
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Causality
Causality
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Material Cause
Material Cause
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Occasionalism
Occasionalism
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Pre-established Harmony
Pre-established Harmony
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Rationality
Rationality
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Mirage
Mirage
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What is 'arguing'?
What is 'arguing'?
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What are 'premises'?
What are 'premises'?
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What is a 'conclusion'?
What is a 'conclusion'?
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What is the 'nature of an argument'?
What is the 'nature of an argument'?
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Why is logic important for thinking?
Why is logic important for thinking?
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How does logic ensure 'understanding'?
How does logic ensure 'understanding'?
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How is logic used in different fields?
How is logic used in different fields?
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What is the importance of logic in everyday life?
What is the importance of logic in everyday life?
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What is Logic?
What is Logic?
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Logic and Truth
Logic and Truth
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Logic and Thinking
Logic and Thinking
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Logic and Symbolic Language
Logic and Symbolic Language
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Formal Logic
Formal Logic
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Scope of Logic
Scope of Logic
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Logic and Human Limitations
Logic and Human Limitations
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Logic and Knowledge
Logic and Knowledge
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Study Notes
Course Code and Title
- Course code: GST 211
- Course title: Introduction to Philosophy, Logic, and Human Existence
Course Requirements
- 75% attendance recommended by the Nigerian Universities Commission for consideration of examination.
- Examination graded at 70%
- Class assessment (C.A) and mid-term assessment graded at 30%.
Course Lecturer
- Dr. Ezema Jane C.
Course Overview
- An interdisciplinary course exploring fundamental areas and questions that have challenged thinkers throughout history of human existence.
- Surveys nature of philosophical thinking and critical thinking through logic.
- Fosters commendable human relations within the community of existence.
- Includes rigorous text analysis, discussions, and debates.
Course Contents
- Meaning of Philosophy
- Scope of philosophy
- Branches of philosophy
- Notions of philosophy
- Problems of philosophy
- Logic as a tool of Philosophy
- Arguments: nature, types, and forms
- Elements of syllogism
- Fallacies: formal and informal
- Laws of thought
- The nine rules of inference
- Creative and critical thinking (activities)
- The impact of philosophy on human existence
- Philosophy and politics
- Philosophy and religion
- Philosophy and human values
- Philosophy and human conduct
- Philosophy and character molding, etc.
- What Philosophy Means
- Greek roots: "Philein" (love) and "Sophia" (wisdom)
- Defined as "the love of wisdom".
- Exploration of the meaning by various philosophers.
- What is Philosophy?
- Outstanding attempt by Socrates (469/470BCE-399BCE).
- Philosophy begins with wondering.
- Leading to various thoughts about a specific thing or things.
- Plato and Rene Descartes also emphasized the importance of wondering.
- Seeking wisdom in human dealings and challenges.
- Doubting everything (methodical skepticism)
- "Cognito ergo sum" ("I think, therefore, I am").
- Understanding philosophy as wonder and curiosity about life's complexities.
- Branches of Philosophy
- The Branches of Philosophy
- Speculative philosophy: metaphysics, ontology, and cosmology.
- Metaphysics: beyond the physical; study of being and existence, including the nature of the human mind, space, time, and causality
- Ontology: Study of beings (material and immaterial)
- Cosmology: Study of the universe.
- Epistemology: Theory of knowledge; investigating what knowledge is, how knowledge can be acquired and whether acquired knowledge can be doubted.
- Logic: Science of reasoning; analyzing proposition structures for correct reasoning.
- Metaphysics: beyond the physical; study of being and existence, including the nature of the human mind, space, time, and causality
- Speculative philosophy: metaphysics, ontology, and cosmology.
- Practical order of philosophy: ethics, aesthetics, and axiology.
- Ethics: (character, conduct or behaviour), study of human behaviour in relation to others.
- Aesthetics: (perception of senses, beauty or ugliness etc), study of value judgements about art, evaluating the meaning of beauty, works of art, and the process of experiencing art.
- Axiology: Study of quality or value.
- Problems of Philosophy
- Change and permanence
- Appearance and reality
- Causality
- Freewill and determinism
- Unity and diversity
- Mind-body interaction
- The Nature of an Argument
- Analysis of propositions and premises
- Relationship between premises and conclusion
- Determining the Validity of an Argument
- Examining logical flow and consistent reasoning
- Distinguished between valid arguments (logical flow) and sound arguments (valid + true premises).
- Categorical Syllogism
- Made up of three propositions where the conclusion follows from the others.
- Types of Categorical Propositions, (A, E, I, O)
- Universal Affirmative, Universal Negative, Particular Affirmative, Particular Negatives
Studying That Suits You
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Description
Test your understanding of metaphysics and epistemology with this quiz. Explore fundamental concepts such as the nature of being, existence, and knowledge. Delve into the ideas presented by influential philosophers and examine key questions that shape the discourse in these philosophical branches.