Philosophy Exam Review (Giordano)
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Questions and Answers

Which of these statements is TRUE about utilitarianism?

  • It is a theory that focuses on the consequences of actions. (correct)
  • It is often criticized as being too focused on individual happiness.
  • It is similar to Kantianism in its emphasis on intentions.
  • It is based on the idea of a categorical imperative.

According to Kant, reason is the basis for determining the moral law.

True (A)

What is the main difference between utilitarianism and Kantianism?

Utilitarianism focuses on the consequences of actions, while Kantianism emphasizes the intentions behind actions.

The categorical imperative is a fundamental rule of conduct that does not admit ______.

<p>exceptions</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the following philosophers with their corresponding ethical theories:

<p>Immanuel Kant = Categorical Imperative John Stuart Mill = Utilitarianism St. Thomas Aquinas = Thomism</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which formulation of the categorical imperative is described by the statement: 'Do not use other people as a means to some other end.'?

<p>Act in such a way so that you treat humanity either in your own person or in that of another always as an end in itself and never as a means to some other end. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Kant's philosophy relied heavily on religious scripture.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the main problem with relying on Thomism for ethical guidance, according to Kant?

<p>Thomism relies on Sacred Scripture, which Kant believed should not be the basis for morality.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the church recognize as valuable in terms of understanding life?

<p>Philosophy (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Evil is often defined as the presence of God.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What concept does the definition of good emphasize in relation to society?

<p>Happiness and well-being of people without causing pain or suffering.</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to some philosophers, human beings can recognize the difference between _______ and evil.

<p>good</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the philosophical terms with their definitions:

<p>Good = Contributes to happiness without inflicting pain Evil = Absence of God Essentialism = Essence precedes existence Human Nature = Understanding what it means to be human</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to philosophy, which of the following might be considered an act of evil?

<p>Killing someone for pleasure (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The debate about whether individuals can rationally choose to do evil is settled among philosophers.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Plato believed that human essence, such as the ability for ______, exists before birth.

<p>reason</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the final cause refer to in Aristotelian philosophy?

<p>The purpose or end for which something exists (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The supreme form, according to Aristotle, is subject to change and imperfection.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the efficient cause of a flower pot according to the example given?

<p>potter</p> Signup and view all the answers

In Aristotle's view, everything moves from potentiality to __________.

<p>actuality</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match each cause to its description:

<p>Material cause = The substance out of which something is made Efficient cause = The agent that brings something into existence Formal cause = The form or essence of an object Final cause = The purpose for which something is created</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which argument for the existence of God is mentioned?

<p>The Ontological Argument (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Aristotle believed that all objects have efficient causes but not all are dependent on something prior.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What final cause is suggested for a flower pot?

<p>to hold flowers</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to Sartre, the self is static and unchanging, like an unchanging ego.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the key characteristic of consciousness that Sartre highlights, leading to the 'lack of self-identity'?

<p>Its negative power, or the ability to experience nothingness.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Who is credited with the ontological argument for the existence of God?

<p>Anselm of Canterbury (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The cosmological argument asserts that everything that exists must have been caused by something else.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does Sartre suggest is the foundation for the unity of the self?

<p>A project, or a desire for being (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the argument from design suggest about the universe?

<p>The universe's order could not have come from nothing.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Sartre's concept of the self suggests that it is more like an ______ in time than a fixed object.

<p>event</p> Signup and view all the answers

Karl Marx referred to religion as the _______ of the masses.

<p>opiate</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the following concepts with their corresponding descriptions.

<p>Free will = The belief that the will is independent from external influences. Determinism = The idea that all events are predetermined and inevitable. Project = A future-oriented goal or purpose that shapes the self. Nothingness = The capacity of consciousness to experience absence and lack.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Explain the link between a fragmented narrative and a fragmented self, as suggested by Sartre.

<p>A fragmented narrative, meaning a life story lacking coherence and direction, leads to a fragmented self. The unity of the self depends on the coherence of its defining narrative.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the philosopher with their view on God:

<p>Anselm of Canterbury = Ontological argument David Hume = Rejection of design argument Thomas Aquinas = Cosmological argument Friedrich Nietzsche = God is dead</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was a significant point of contention for David Hume regarding the argument from design?

<p>He thought nature and machines had too many differences. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Sartre's philosophy emphasizes the importance of predetermined values and divine commandments in guiding human decisions.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of Sartre's view of the self?

<p>The self is a static ego (E)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Thomas Aquinas believed in an omniscient and omnipotent supreme being who creates and sustains the world.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is one argument against the existence of God based on human history?

<p>Human history is filled with calamity, evil, and suffering.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What did Aristotle believe about virtuous behavior?

<p>Self-discipline is necessary for virtuous behavior. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Socrates and Plato agree that the good life is only about individual happiness.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Who applied Aristotle's ideas to a Christian philosophical framework?

<p>Aquinas</p> Signup and view all the answers

In Thomistic philosophy, God has given human beings __________ which is essential for moral understanding.

<p>reason</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the following philosophers to their contributions:

<p>Aristotle = Middle path between deficiency and excess Socrates = Ethical action within a community Aquinas = Natural law applied to Christian philosophy Bentham = Greatest happiness principle</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the 'golden mean' according to Aristotle?

<p>A balance between extremes (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to Aquinas, irrationality helps to actualize a person's God-given potential.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the central tenet of Bentham's utilitarianism?

<p>The principle of utility or greatest happiness principle</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Good

Something that contributes to the happiness and well-being of many people without causing harm.

Evil

Often defined as the absence of God or the opposite of good. Actions that cause harm or suffering.

Essentialism

The belief that a being's essential nature or characteristics are fixed at birth, unchanging, and universal.

Essence precedes existence

The idea that a being's essence, or fundamental nature, exists before its existence in the world.

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Human essence

The ability to reason and make rational choices.

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Recognizing good and evil

The ability to understand and judge the difference between right and wrong.

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Choosing evil

The philosophical debate on whether individuals consciously choose to do evil actions.

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Quest for meaning

The concept of a common source for questions about meaning and purpose in life.

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Final Cause

The reason for a thing's existence, its intended purpose or the fulfillment of its potential.

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Formal Cause

The essential characteristics that define a thing, its form or structure.

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Material Cause

The material from which something is made.

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Efficient Cause

The agent or force responsible for bringing something into existence.

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Potentiality and Actuality

Aristotle's concept that all things have a potential (potentiality) that can be realized through change, becoming actual.

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Continuous Change

Aristotle's belief that all things in the universe are in a constant state of becoming, moving from potential to actuality.

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Supreme Form

Aristotle's concept of a perfect, immaterial, unchanging mover that is responsible for the existence and motion of the universe.

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Ontological Argument

An argument for the existence of God based on the idea that the concept of a perfect being implies the existence of such a being in reality.

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The Good Life (Socrates and Plato)

A life focused on ethical behavior within the community, encompassing family, friends, and society.

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Aristotle's Doctrine of the Mean

The rational part of a person controls their desires by choosing a middle path between extremes.

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Aquinas' Divine Command Theory & Natural Law

God gave humans reason; we're expected to follow God's eternal and natural laws, discoverable through reason.

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Rationality and God's Commands

The ability to reason allows humans to know God's commands and aligns with God's own nature.

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Moral Bad Actions and God

Actions are morally bad if they move a person away from their ultimate goal - union with God.

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Utilitarianism (Bentham/Mill)

The moral principle that prioritizes the greatest happiness for the most people.

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Principle of Utility

The underlying principle of utilitarianism, focusing on maximizing happiness.

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Greatest Happiness Principle

The greatest happiness principle, a core tenet of utilitarianism, aiming to maximize happiness.

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Cosmological Argument

This argument states that an infinite regress of causes is impossible and therefore a first cause, referred to as God, must exist.

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Argument from Design (Intelligent Design)

This argument suggests that the intricate and complex design of the universe points to an intelligent creator.

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David Hume's Rejection of the Argument from Design

This argument views the universe as a complex system, and argues against an intelligent designer, comparing it to human-made machines.

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Atheism

A belief system that rejects the existence of a supreme being or deities.

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Religion as the 'Opiate of the Masses'

The belief that religion is a tool used by the ruling class to control and suppress the masses.

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Argument against the Existence of God based on Human Suffering

An argument that asserts religion is inherently flawed due to the prevalence of suffering, evil, and war in human history.

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The Death of God

The idea that God is no longer a relevant figure in modern society due to changes in human thought and understanding.

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Anselm's Ontological Argument

A philosophical argument that posits the existence of a perfect being, which implies the existence of God.

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Fragmented Narrative, Fragmented Self

The unity of the self depends on the consistency and coherence of the narratives we use to understand ourselves. A fragmented or inconsistent narrative leads to a fragmented and uncertain self.

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The Power of Nothingness

The conscious experience of nothingness is a fundamental aspect of consciousness. It allows us to recognize the absence of something, like the lack of a defined self.

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Self as a Project

The self is not a fixed entity, but rather an ongoing project. We continuously shape and define who we are through our actions, choices, and desires.

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Self-Creation

The self is not something we are born with; it is something we create through our experiences, our choices, and our pursuit of meaning in life.

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Absolute Free Will

Free will exists independent of any external influences. Even in the face of limitations, we retain the ability to choose our actions.

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Existential Freedom

Free will is a central tenet of existentialism, emphasizing that human beings are fundamentally free to choose their identity and values. There are no predetermined blueprints or external forces dictating our choices.

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Existential Angst

The absence of predetermined values or guidelines leads to a sense of existential angst, where individuals are faced with the responsibility and freedom to create their own meaning and purpose in life.

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Existential Abandonment

The sense of being alone and responsible for our own choices and existence in a world without inherent meaning or purpose.

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Utilitarianism

A theory that focuses on the consequences of actions, aiming for the greatest happiness for the greatest number of people.

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Immanuel Kant

A philosopher who challenged the need for religious authority in morality and emphasized reason as the basis for ethical judgment.

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Categorical Imperative

A fundamental rule of conduct that applies universally and without exceptions. It guides moral action.

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Treating Humanity as an End in Itself

Treating individuals as ends in themselves, respecting their inherent worth and autonomy, rather than using them solely as means to achieve other goals.

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Kantianism

An approach to ethics that focuses on the intentions or motives behind actions, rather than the consequences.

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Scenario My Best Friend's Girl/Guy

This scenario involves a situation where someone is tempted to betray a friend's trust for personal gain.

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Thomism

A philosophical school of thought associated with St. Thomas Aquinas, which relies on both reason and Christian revelation to understand morality.

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Reason as the Basis for Morality

The principle of basing ethical decisions solely on reason, independent of personal preferences, religious beliefs, or cultural norms.

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Study Notes

Exam Review (Giordano)

  • Exam format is 15% of final mark
  • Exam consists of multiple choice, quote analysis, short answer, and essay questions.
  • 30 multiple choice questions (1 mark each)
  • 2 quote analysis questions from 5 choices (5 marks each)
  • 3 short answer questions from 6 choices (6 marks each)
  • 1 essay question from 2 choices (40 marks)
  • Total Marks: 98

Unit 1: Intro to Philosophy

  • Philosophy comes from the Greek words "philein" (love) and "sophia" (wisdom).
  • Philosophy means to have love of wisdom.

Unit 2: Human Nature

  • The church views philosophy positively
  • Goodness is defined as that which contributes to the happiness and well-being of some people without causing suffering to others.
  • Evil is often defined as the absence of God.
  • Most philosophers believe that humans have the ability to distinguish between good and evil
  • Essentialism is the concept that a being enters the world with a pre-set nature or characteristics.

Plato's Allegory of the Cave

  • Prisoners in a cave only see shadows of objects
  • One prisoner is freed, sees the outside world and is blinded by sunlight
  • The freed prisoner returns to the cave to reveal the nature of reality to the other prisoners
  • The freed prisoner is harmed by sunlight, as those who are outside the cave seem cruel

Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs

  • Physiological Needs: air, food, drink, shelter, warmth, sex, sleep
  • Safety Needs: protection from elements, security, order, law, stability
  • Love and Belongingness Needs: friendship, intimacy, trust, acceptance, receiving and giving love, being part of a group (family, friends, work)
  • Esteem Needs: acceptance and esteem from others (respect from others, reputation, status) and esteem of oneself (dignity, achievement, mastery)
  • Self-Actualization Needs: achieving one's full potential, including creative activities

Review the Themes Each of the Following

  • The Missing Piece
  • The Disciple
  • Tolstoy
  • Fides et Ratio

Unit 3: Metaphysics

  • Free Will: The supposed capacity to make decisions independently of prior events or states.
  • Religious Determinism: Belief that God's knowledge and will have predetermined all human actions.
  • Naturalism: The idea that the material universe is a single, unified system with no supernatural or spiritual influences.
  • Social Determinism: Belief that interactions & experiences define individual behaviours
  • Atheism: Disbelief in the existence of a God or gods
  • Agnosticism: Belief that the existence of a God or gods can't be known or proven.
  • Personhood: The quality or state of being a person.

Aristotle and the Supreme Being

  • Aristotle disagreed with Plato's idea of universals existing outside of particular things
  • Material Cause: The material of which something is made
  • Efficient Cause: The force that brings something to exist
  • Formal Cause: The shape or form of the thing that is created
  • Final Cause: The purpose and function of the thing.

Arguments for and against the existence of God

  • Ontological Argument: God is a supremely perfect being and must therefore exist
  • Cosmological Argument: the universe requires a cause or creator
  • Argument from Design/Intelligent Design: order and complexity in nature point to a designer
  • Against the Existence of God: Atheism, the problem of evil, lack of empirical evidence

Theories of the Self

  • René Descartes (dualism): Mind and body are separate substances. The self is a thinking thing (I think, therefore I am) that exists over time, independently of the body.
  • David Hume (bundle theory): The self is merely a collection of perceptions and experiences, constantly changing and not something unified.
  • Paul Ricoeur (narrative): The self is created through our interpretations of past and present events, our stories.

Free Will and Each of the Determinisms

  • Free will: The capacity to make unconstrained choices
  • Religious Determinism: God's knowledge and will predetermining all human actions
  • Social Determinism: Interactions and experiences defining behaviours

Unit 4: Ethics

  • Morality: Morals or moral principles of a culture, community, religion.
  • Ethics: A system of moral rules and principles of values.
  • Utilitarianism: The greatest overall happiness for the greatest number of people.
  • Absolutism (Absolute Truth): There is only one correct course of action
  • Eugenics: Belief that improving the human population can be achieved by controlling reproduction

Plato and the Good Life

  • Plato believed that "to know the good is to do the good".
  • Plato argues for the objectivity of moral values
  • Plato describes a just person as someone who allows their reason and will-power to dominate their desires

Aristotle and the Good Life

  • Aristotle defines a good life as a life of happiness
  • Happiness occurs through virtuous habits

Socrates and the Good Life

  • Socrates believed that the good is knowing and doing the good
  • The good life is a life well-lived in community with friends and family.

Plato's Republic

  • Plato's Republic argues that a just person has each part of the soul working effectively, with reason and willpower dominating desires

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Prepare for your philosophy exam with this comprehensive review covering key concepts from Units 1 and 2. Test your understanding of human nature, definitions of good and evil, and Plato's allegory. This quiz format includes multiple choice, quote analysis, short answers, and an essay question to enhance your exam readiness.

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