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Questions and Answers
What is the main focus of epistemology?
Which area of philosophy focuses on the nature of reality?
What is the central question in metaphysics?
In philosophy, what is the primary method used for convincing or justifying conclusions?
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What does ethics as a philosophical area primarily focus on?
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The term 'metaphysics' is a historical accident in philosophy, but what does it primarily study?
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What is the main focus of philosophy according to the text?
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Which aspect of philosophy would be most relevant to exploring the nature of reality?
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In philosophy, the mind-body problem typically falls under the category of:
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Which area of philosophy would be most concerned with the source and limits of human knowledge?
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What philosophical area would be most relevant to discussing moral values and principles?
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What is a philosophical question that is relevant to a layperson's everyday experience?
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Which of the following is NOT a question in the philosophy of science?
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What is a fundamental question in metaphysics?
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Which of the following is a question in epistemology?
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What is a question in the philosophy of mind?
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What is a key aspect of doing philosophy?
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Study Notes
Introduction to Philosophy
- Philosophy involves asking questions about fundamental principles that underlie human endeavors
- Philosophical questions can be relevant to everyday life and scientific practice
Types of Philosophical Questions
- Esoteric questions: e.g., "Why is there something, rather than nothing?"
- Practical questions: e.g., "Is it morally wrong to eat meat?"
- Questions that impact day-to-day life: e.g., "Is it compatible with vegetarianism to own a pet?"
- Scientific questions: e.g., "What makes an organism 'alive'?" (biology), "Is gravity an independent force?" (physics), "Do characteristics like 'intelligence' exist objectively?" (psychology)
Course Overview
- The course covers the central topics of philosophy: epistemology, metaphysics, and ethics
- The course consists of two meetings per week: lectures and tutorials
- The Canvas page is the central location for all course information
Epistemology and Metaphysics
- Epistemology: the study of knowledge and related concepts, including what can be known and how we know it
- Metaphysics: the study of the nature of reality, including the world and its possibilities, and the relationship between mind and body
Methods of Philosophy
- The primary method of philosophy is the argument: a series of statements meant to convince or justify a conclusion
- Arguments are used to convince others or to justify a conclusion
Examples of Arguments
- Example 1: "Yici went to class yesterday or she slept in. She didn't sleep in. So, she went to class yesterday."
- Example 2: "Every dog likes to be scratched. Tarski is a dog. Therefore, Tarski likes to be scratched."
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Description
Test your knowledge on the core areas of philosophy - epistemology, metaphysics, and ethics. Explore questions related to what we can know, how we know it, the nature of reality, and ethical principles.
