Philosophy Concepts Quiz

The branch of philosophy that examines the nature, scope, and justification of knowledge.

The branch of philosophy that explores the fundamental nature of reality, existence, and the relationships between things.

The branch of philosophy that examines moral values, principles, and how humans should act.

An ancient Greek concept of hospitality, involving generosity and courtesy toward strangers or guests.

A strict adherence to specific theological doctrines, often interpreted as a reaction against modernist approaches.

In Greek philosophy, often refers to "form" or "essence", particularly in the works of Plato.

Refers to the early Greek philosophers before Socrates, who primarily focused on cosmology, metaphysics, and the nature of existence.

The basis or reasons provided to support a claim or conclusion.

A distinction in philosophy between general concepts (universal) and specific instances (particular).

The belief that entities have a set of core attributes that define their essence.

A philosophical movement emphasizing individual freedom, choice, and the search for meaning in a seemingly indifferent or absurd world.

A movement and ideology advocating for gender equality and the rights of women.

The theory that reality is fundamentally shaped by immaterial forms or ideas, which are more real than physical objects.

The view that knowledge is primarily derived from sensory experience and observation.

A state of puzzlement or doubt, often used in Socratic dialogue to provoke deeper inquiry into philosophical questions.

An abstract, perfect, and unchanging concept or ideal that exists in a realm beyond physical reality.

A Taoist concept meaning "effortless action" or "non-action", emphasizing harmony with the natural flow.

A central concept in Taoism referring to the ultimate principle of the universe, often translated as "the way."

A character in Plato's dialogues who discusses the nature of piety with Socrates.

A form of cooperative dialogue in which questions are posed to stimulate critical thinking and illuminate ideas.

A method of philosophical argument that seeks to uncover truths through reasoned discussion and opposing viewpoints.

Excellence or moral virtue; the highest quality of fulfilling one's purpose or potential.

A quality of being devout or religious, often discussed in the context of one's duty to gods and society.

Socrates was convicted of impiety and corrupting the youth of Athens and sentenced to death by drinking hemlock.

Socrates described himself as a "gadfly" who provokes Athens, likened to a horse, to engage in self-examination and virtue.

Socrates was accused of corrupting the youth and not believing in the gods of the state.

A discriminatory practice where services (e.g., loans, housing) are denied to residents of certain areas based on race or ethnicity.

A method of social change that employs peaceful protests to oppose injustice.

A journalistic initiative reframing U.S. history by placing the consequences of slavery and contributions of Black Americans at the center of the national narrative.

A framework examining the relationship between race, law, and power, emphasizing the impact of systemic racism.

Justice is the presence of equality and fairness, where laws and actions respect the dignity and rights of all individuals.

A law that is out of harmony with moral law and degrades human personality.

A cultural ideal of femininity used to confine women within a predefined societal role.

The belief that human behavior is governed primarily by biological factors.

"For itself" (conscious, free being) vs. "in itself" (unconscious, static being) in existential philosophy.

The law rooted in divine justice and human dignity, serving as the standard for judging civil laws.

Compensation and redress for the historical injustices of slavery and systemic racism.

The natural essence or inherent nature of things, often contrasted with human-made constructs.

The study of being in its most general sense, independent of specific manifestations.

Aristotle's concept of divine intellect as the highest form of contemplation, thinking about itself.

Pure contemplation; God is the "unmoved mover" who influences the universe through thought alone.

Aristotle's theory that entities are composed of matter and form.

Nietzsche's concept of the "overman", an individual who transcends conventional morality to create their own values.

A prophet-like character in Nietzsche's Thus Spoke Zarathustra, symbolizing self-overcoming and the proclamation of the Übermensch.

The driving force of life, characterized by the desire to assert and enhance one's power and creativity.

A condition that allows time for contemplation and creative pursuits, challenging the overvaluation of constant labor.

Often criticized as over-glorified; Russell advocates for a balance that prioritizes leisure and intellectual development.

The Trojan War was triggered by the abduction (or elopement) of Helen, wife of Menelaus, by Paris of Troy. However, it also symbolizes deeper themes of honor, power struggles, and the interference of gods in human affairs as depicted in Greek mythology.

The feud arose when Agamemnon took Briseis, a war prize of Achilles, as compensation for losing his own prize, Chryseis. Achilles perceived this as a profound insult to his honor, leading to his withdrawal from battle and resulting tensions in the Greek army.

In Barker's The Silence of the Girls, Briseis is given a voice and agency, presenting her perspective as a woman subjected to the violence and subjugation of war. In Homer's Iliad, she is largely silent and treated as a prize, representing the objectification of women in the context of war.

Heraclitus emphasized change and flux, famously stating, "You cannot step into the same river twice." Parmenides, in contrast, argued that change is an illusion and that reality is unchanging, eternal, and one.

In Plato's Republic, education is depicted as a process of enlightenment, moving from ignorance (shadows on the cave wall) to knowledge and understanding (the world outside the cave). It requires turning the soul toward the truth and enduring the discomfort of challenging one's preconceptions.

"The idea of the good" is the ultimate principle that illuminates all knowledge and truth, akin to the sun in the allegory. It is the source of understanding and the highest object of knowledge, guiding individuals toward the good life.

The climate change emergency refers to the rapid and detrimental alterations in Earth's climate caused by human activities, such as greenhouse gas emissions, leading to rising temperatures, sea levels, and extreme weather events, posing existential threats to ecosystems and humanity.

Lao Tsu's concept of "letting go" emphasizes relinquishing control, attachment, and striving, allowing individuals to harmonize with the natural flow of the Tao. It advocates non-resistance and trust in the unfolding of life.

Climate change highlights the gap between appearance (e.g., normal weather patterns or visible prosperity) and reality (underlying environmental degradation and systemic risks). Denial or lack of urgency often stems from reliance on superficial observations rather than scientific evidence.

In Euthyphro, Socrates questions the nature of piety, revealing contradictions in common beliefs. Similarly, in the Apology, he challenges the Athenians to critically examine their values and justifications for accusing him, using reasoned inquiry to expose moral and logical inconsistencies.

Socrates' key message is the importance of self-examination and the pursuit of truth and virtue. He argues that a life unexamined is not worth living and positions himself as a gadfly sent by the gods to provoke critical thinking and moral improvement in Athens.

Socrates accepts his sentence to uphold his principles, including respect for the law and the belief that it is better to suffer injustice than to commit it. He also views death as either a peaceful nothingness or a chance to engage in dialogue with other deceased souls, both of which he considers acceptable outcomes.

Socrates argues that true harm affects the soul, not the body. A good man, who lives virtuously and justly, cannot be truly harmed by others, as they lack the power to corrupt his moral integrity or virtue.

Socrates claims that wrongdoing stems from ignorance, as no one knowingly chooses harm or evil. He believes that individuals act wrongly only when they misunderstand what is good for themselves or society.

Socrates humorously suggests this reward because he believes he has benefited Athens by challenging its citizens to think critically and improve their virtue. This reflects his conviction that he has acted in the city's best interest, not committed any crime.

No, they do not arrive at a conclusive definition of piety. Their dialogue ends in aporia (a state of puzzlement), with Euthyphro unable to provide a satisfactory and universal definition that withstands Socratic scrutiny.

Plato suggests that abstract concepts like piety are part of the realm of forms and cannot be fully defined through empirical examples or subjective beliefs. The limitations of human language and understanding prevent precise definitions.

Euthyphro initially defines piety as "what is dear to the gods", but Socrates rejects this, pointing out that the gods often disagree. This makes piety subjective and inconsistent, which contradicts the idea of a universal standard.

King's Letter from Birmingham Jail is addressed to white moderate clergymen who criticized his methods of protest, but it also serves as a broader appeal to the public, defending nonviolent resistance and urging action against injustice.

King was arrested for participating in nonviolent protests against racial segregation in Birmingham, Alabama, as part of his campaign to confront systemic racism and draw national attention to the civil rights struggle.

No, Hannah-Jones argues in The 1619 Project that while the civil rights movement achieved significant legal and social progress, systemic racism and its legacies persist, requiring continued efforts toward racial justice and equity.

The year 1619 marks the arrival of the first enslaved Africans in the English colonies in North America. It is viewed as a foundational moment in U.S. history, shaping the nation's development through slavery and racial oppression.

According to Aristotle, natural things have an intrinsic principle of motion and change, distinguishing them from artificial objects, which derive their motion from external forces.

The principle of nature is the inherent cause or source of motion and rest in natural beings, governing their behavior and development toward their natural ends or purposes.

Types of change in nature.

Aristotle's four causes explain why something exists or happens: Material cause: the substance something is made of, Formal cause: its form or essence, Efficient cause: the agent or process that brings it about, and Final cause: its purpose or end goal.

Aristotle identifies three kinds of substance: Material substances: physical entities subject to change, Immaterial substances: eternal and unchanging entities (e.g., celestial spheres), and The Prime Mover: the ultimate, immaterial cause of all motion and change.

No, Bertrand Russell's essay In Praise of Idleness advocates for a balance between work and leisure. He argues that reducing excessive work hours allows for intellectual and creative pursuits, contributing to individual and societal well-being.

Nietzsche describes three stages of personal transformation in Thus Spoke Zarathustra: The camel: carrying burdens of tradition and duty, The lion: rejecting external values and asserting independence, and The child: embodying creativity and the will to create new values.

Nietzsche believes the individual undergoes a transformation in their relationship to values, evolving from passive acceptance of existing norms to the active creation of new ones through self-overcoming.

Nietzsche's metaphor of the rope describes humanity as a bridge between animality and the Übermensch (superhuman). It signifies the tension and challenge of self-overcoming, striving for higher ideals and a more evolved state of being.