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Questions and Answers
Which statement best reflects the nature of philosophical knowledge?
Which statement best reflects the nature of philosophical knowledge?
How does philosophy differ from other sciences in its approach to understanding reality?
How does philosophy differ from other sciences in its approach to understanding reality?
What is the focus of philosophy as a science?
What is the focus of philosophy as a science?
What are the main components that philosophy studies regarding beings?
What are the main components that philosophy studies regarding beings?
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Which of the following does not characterize philosophy's stance on knowledge acquisition?
Which of the following does not characterize philosophy's stance on knowledge acquisition?
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Which branch of philosophy focuses on the principles of thinking and attaining truth?
Which branch of philosophy focuses on the principles of thinking and attaining truth?
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What does Pyrrho primarily suggest about human behavior?
What does Pyrrho primarily suggest about human behavior?
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Which statement best summarizes the nature of a 'cause' in philosophical terms?
Which statement best summarizes the nature of a 'cause' in philosophical terms?
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What is divine revelation's role in the context of philosophy?
What is divine revelation's role in the context of philosophy?
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Which early thinker is least associated with the development of humanism?
Which early thinker is least associated with the development of humanism?
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What is the primary end or goal of human actions according to St. Thomas Aquinas?
What is the primary end or goal of human actions according to St. Thomas Aquinas?
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According to Aquinas, what do we need in addition to virtues to achieve final happiness?
According to Aquinas, what do we need in addition to virtues to achieve final happiness?
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How does Aquinas view the concept of happiness?
How does Aquinas view the concept of happiness?
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Which of the following describes Pyrrhonian Skepticism?
Which of the following describes Pyrrhonian Skepticism?
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Which of the following concepts is NOT part of Aquinas's moral philosophy?
Which of the following concepts is NOT part of Aquinas's moral philosophy?
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What is a key characteristic of humanistic freethought?
What is a key characteristic of humanistic freethought?
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What aspect of human conduct does Ethics primarily focus on?
What aspect of human conduct does Ethics primarily focus on?
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Which of the following best describes Epistemology?
Which of the following best describes Epistemology?
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What is one of the essential qualities required for a human act to be classified as 'human'?
What is one of the essential qualities required for a human act to be classified as 'human'?
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What is the ultimate subjective end of human acts according to the content?
What is the ultimate subjective end of human acts according to the content?
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Which philosophical branch examines the nature of being?
Which philosophical branch examines the nature of being?
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What must not happen for an act to be permissible if it has both good and evil effects?
What must not happen for an act to be permissible if it has both good and evil effects?
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What does Theodicy primarily investigate?
What does Theodicy primarily investigate?
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What is a fundamental principle of Ethics stated in the content?
What is a fundamental principle of Ethics stated in the content?
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How is Ethics categorized as a science?
How is Ethics categorized as a science?
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Which of the following statements reflects the nature of human motivation as described?
Which of the following statements reflects the nature of human motivation as described?
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Which statement accurately describes the relationship between human activity and morality according to Ethics?
Which statement accurately describes the relationship between human activity and morality according to Ethics?
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What must the intention of the agent be for an act with both good and evil effects to be permissible?
What must the intention of the agent be for an act with both good and evil effects to be permissible?
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What does Psychology focus on within philosophy?
What does Psychology focus on within philosophy?
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What kind of reason is required for an act with both good and evil effects to be considered permissible?
What kind of reason is required for an act with both good and evil effects to be considered permissible?
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What effect must the good effect have in relation to the act for it to be permissible?
What effect must the good effect have in relation to the act for it to be permissible?
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What is the relationship between the end and the action performed by the human agent?
What is the relationship between the end and the action performed by the human agent?
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What is a key component of ethical reasoning?
What is a key component of ethical reasoning?
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Which factor is NOT listed as influencing moral standards?
Which factor is NOT listed as influencing moral standards?
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What distinguishes reasoning from merely forming opinions?
What distinguishes reasoning from merely forming opinions?
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How can we combat egocentric tendencies in ethical development?
How can we combat egocentric tendencies in ethical development?
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Which of the following statements best describes the relationship between reasoning and philosophy?
Which of the following statements best describes the relationship between reasoning and philosophy?
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What is indicated as a crucial aspect of moral development?
What is indicated as a crucial aspect of moral development?
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Which of the following is true about reason and its relation to human activities?
Which of the following is true about reason and its relation to human activities?
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What is a distinguishing factor between moral problems and non-moral ones?
What is a distinguishing factor between moral problems and non-moral ones?
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Study Notes
Philosophy
- Is the science of beings in their ultimate reasons, causes, and principles, acquired by human reason alone
- A science that is certain knowledge, not based on opinions or theories, derived from reasoned demonstrations of causes
- A science of beings, meaning all things reached by the human mind: man, the world, God, everything that is, becomes, or is known
- Differs from other sciences by having the entire universe and Supreme Being as its object
- Seeks ultimate reasons, causes, and principles, while other sciences address proximate causes
- Relies solely on reasoning power of the human mind, excluding divine revelation as a source of information
Branches of Philosophy
- Logic: Science of principles, laws, and methods for accurate and secure attainment of truth in thinking
- Cosmology: Deals with the origin and structure of the universe, its parts, elements, laws, and characteristics like space, time, and causality
- Psychology: Deals with living beings, their vital operations, powers, and the principle of life
- Ethics: Practical science of the morality of human conduct
- Ontology or General Metaphysics: Study of being, kinds and structures of objects, properties, events, processes, and relations in reality
- Theodicy or Special Metaphysics: Deals with the first cause of universal contingent reality, its nature, attributes, and influence on creatures
- Epistemology or Criteriology: Concerned with the validity of human knowledge, studying its nature, origin, and limits
Ethics
- A complete and systematically arranged body of data related to the morality of human conduct
- A practical science because its data directly imply directions for human conduct
- Science of human conduct, specifically deliberate and free acts performed with advertence and motive
- Science of the morality of human conduct, meaning the relation of free, knowing, deliberate human activity with the dictates of reason
Constituents of Human Act
- Knowledge: A human act requires deliberation and knowledge of what one is doing and its meaning
- Freedom: A human act is determined by the free will
- Voluntariness: A human act is chosen and given existence by the free will
Pyrrhonian Skepticism
- Founded by Pyrrho
- Teaches that rationally deciding between good and bad is impossible
- Self-interest is generally the primary motive for human behavior
- Skeptical of sincerity, virtue, and altruism as motivations
Humanism
- Emphasizes the dignity and worth of all people and their ability to determine right and wrong through universal human qualities (especially rationality)
- Traces back to early Greek thinkers like Thales, Xenophanes, Anaxagoras, Pericles, Protagoras, Democritus, and Thucydides
- Instrumental in moving away from a supernatural-based morality towards a more humanistic freethought based on science and logic
St. Thomas Aquinas on Virtue
- Merges Aristotelian eudaimonism and Christian theology in his moral philosophy
- Follows Aristotle in believing that an act is good or bad based on its contribution to or deterrence from our proper human end (telos - happiness)
- Happiness is understood as completion, perfection, or well-being
- Achieving happiness requires both intellectual and moral virtues
- Believes that final happiness cannot be achieved in this life, but consists in beatitude (supernatural union with God)
- We need both virtues and God to achieve final happiness
The End of Human Acts
- The end is the final cause of a human act
- The end is apprehended as good, desirable, and attracts the agent to perform the act
- The end serves as the agent's motive and reason for acting
- The absolutely ultimate end of human acts is perfect happiness, consisting in possession of the limitless good
- The ultimate subjective end of human acts is happiness
When May an Act Not Evil in Itself Be Performed, If It Leads to Both Good and Evil Effects?
- The evil effect must not precede the good effect
- There must be a sufficiently grave reason for the act
- The intention of the agent must be honest, directly willing the good effect
Reason
- Capacity for consciously interpreting things, establishing and verifying facts, applying logic, and changing or justifying practices, institutions, and beliefs based on new or existing information
- Associated with characteristically human activities like philosophy, science, language, mathematics, art
- Reasoning is associated with thinking, cognition, and intellect
- A declaration made to explain or justify action, decision, or conviction
Ethical Reasoning
- Highlights acts that enhance or harm the well-being of others, leading to praise or criticism
- Developing ethical reasoning is crucial due to human tendencies towards egotism, prejudice, self-justification, and self-deception
- These tendencies are exacerbated by sociocentric cultural influences (e.g., mass media)
- These tendencies can be countered by cultivating fair-mindedness, honesty, integrity, self-knowledge, and concern for others
How Moral Standards are Influenced
- Moral standards are influenced by, but not limited to:
- Moral principles from upbringing
- Values from heritage and legacy
- Religious values from childhood
- Values from education
- Behavior patterns of those around us
- Explicit and implicit standards of culture
- Life experiences
- Critical reflections on experiences
Morality vs. Other Rules
- Moral standards concern behavior closely linked to human well-being
- Distinguish a moral problem from a non-moral one
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Description
This quiz explores the fundamental concepts of philosophy, including its definition, methods, and branches. Learn about how philosophy seeks ultimate truths and the distinct nature of its inquiry compared to other sciences. Test your knowledge on logic, cosmology, and more.