Philosophy Basics

Questions and Answers

What is the core concern of metaphysics?

The importance of Foundationalism

The nature of rationality

The distinction between appearance and reality (correct)

The meaning of life

What is a limitation of Foundationalism?

It is only concerned with the question of the meaning of life

There is no agreement on transcultural foundational principles (correct)

It fails to provide a clear definition of rationality

It is a form of relativism

What is a key aspect of the Middle Path in Buddhism?

Avoiding the extremes of pursuing pleasure and living a life of asceticism and self-denial (correct)

Living a life of asceticism and self-denial

Pursuing pleasure as the ultimate goal

Seeking wisdom as the sole means to enlightenment

What is the primary meaning of 'jen' in Confucianism?

Benevolence Signup and view all the answers

What is a consequence of the law of karma?

One's actions will determine future outcomes Signup and view all the answers

What is the main argument of anarchists?

It is immoral for one group of people to rule another group Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of compensatory justice?

Some types of affirmative action programs Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the primary benefits of reading philosophy?

It provides the pleasure of discovering new ideas Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of retributive justice?

Punishing individuals for their wrongdoing Signup and view all the answers

What is the 'fatal fiction' according to Fadl?

The idea that human agents have perfect access to the will of God Signup and view all the answers

What is the focus of the philosophy of science?

Determining the nature and procedures of science Signup and view all the answers

What is the main idea behind Peirce's renaming of his version of pragmatism?

To distinguish it from other forms of pragmatism Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary concern of metaphysics?

Dealing with the question of what is truly real Signup and view all the answers

What is the main argument against foundationalism?

That it has failed to agree on what exactly constitutes transcultural foundational principles Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary outcome of doubt according to Peirce?

Irritation Signup and view all the answers

Why are primary sources sometimes difficult to read?

Because they require a deep understanding of the historical context Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Philosophy and its Nature

Philosophy deals with questions that go beyond everyday experience, such as what is truly real (metaphysics) and how we should live.
Philosophy is not exclusively concerned with the question of the meaning of life.

Rationality and Foundationalism

Foundationalism holds that there are objective and universal standards of rationality, but foundationalists have failed to agree on what exactly constitutes transcultural foundational principles.
The anti-foundationalists' position amounts to relativism, making it difficult to know how to proceed to settle disputes.

Eastern Philosophy

The Four Noble Truths in Buddhism include "Life is suffering."
The Middle Path avoids the extremes of pursuing pleasure and living a life of asceticism and self-denial.
Right Action consists of promoting moral, honorable, and peaceful conduct.
Traditional rites are important for Confucius because they foster the acquisition of benevolence (jen).
One of the primary meanings of jen is benevolence.
The Buddha would likely answer the question "How should one live?" by saying "seek wisdom, be moral, practice mental discipline."

Justice and Politics

Anarchists argue that it is immoral for one group of people to rule another group.
Compensatory justice is, for example, some types of affirmative action programs.
Retributive justice, unlike distributive justice, is, for example, taking away someone's driver's license for drunk driving.
According to Fadl, a Muslim jurist would historically favor rule by a caliphate.
An important political value central to a Muslim polity is the pursuit of justice.
According to the Qur'an, all human beings are God's vicegerents.
Fiqh is the human attempt to apply the divine ideal as revealed by God's Way.

Science and Pragmatism

Scientism is a kind of blind faith in the power of science to determine all truth.
The philosophy of science has direct practical and significant relevance to our daily concerns because informed decisions about scientifically related public policy issues require some understanding of the nature and procedures of science.
According to Peirce, belief is like a habit, and doubt causes us to experience irritation.
Unlike the other methods, the method of science relies upon some external permanency.
According to the method of authority, the state fixes belief.