Philosophy Lesson 2 Quiz

Philosophy Overview

• Philosophy is concerned with understanding reality and the human experience.
• It addresses fundamental questions about existence, knowledge, and human behavior.

The Question of Reality

• The first major question in philosophy is "What is real?"
• Reality refers to the state of existence of things independent of human consciousness.
• It includes physical and abstract things, both perceivable and imperceivable.
• Philosophers believe in an objective and absolute reality, with a specific nature or character.
• Man has the ability to sense and perceive reality.

Metaphysics and Ontology

• Metaphysics is a branch of philosophy that addresses questions regarding reality.
• Ontology focuses on the classification of existing things.
• It explores concepts such as time, space, nature of the universe, and human nature.

The Question of Certainty

• The second major question is "How do we know what we know?"
• Certainty refers to perfect knowledge that is free from error or doubt.
• Truth is the central concept in the question of certainty.
• Knowledge is also related to the question of certainty and the means by which man knows.

Theories of Knowledge

• Rationalism: knowledge is based on pure reasoning without experience.
• Empiricism: knowledge is based on experience and sensory data.
• Skepticism: all knowledge is uncertain.

The Question of Causality

• The question of causality asks "What is the ultimate cause of all things?"
• It explores the concepts of agency, free will, and choice.
• Determinism: an important perspective regarding causality and agency.
• Destiny: a fixed course of events.
• Etiology: the study of causes.
• Teleology: the study of purpose.

The Question of Ethics

• Ethics deals with the standards of right and wrong.
• It seeks to formulate standards and norms for "acceptable", "correct", and "good" behavior.
• Moral philosophy applies and analyzes these concepts in various situations and cultures.

Methods and Tools of Philosophers

• Systematic doubt: a skeptical attitude to analyze ideas and events.
• Argument: engaging in discussion and debate on ideas.
• Dialectic: analyzing varied ideas and perspectives to formulate new views.

Problem-Solving Devices

• Socratic method: a series of questions to analyze a topic and examine views.
• Axioms: assumptions taken for granted in philosophical discussions.
• Occam's razor: the simplest explanation is the most acceptable.
• Formal logic: a systematic analysis of the validity of arguments and statements.
• Allegory: imagined scenarios to illustrate a problem or describe a theory.