Philosophy Unit 1: Plato's Allegory of the Cave

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Questions and Answers

Why would a prisoner who escaped the cave not be happy for the other prisoners?

They would resent the other prisoners' praise for quickness of wit, realizing it wasn't true wisdom. (correct)

They would be consumed by their own happiness and newfound knowledge, not caring for those left behind.

They would fear the other prisoners' potential to surpass them in knowledge upon escaping.

They would believe the other prisoners are content in their ignorance.

Why might prisoners still in the cave think an escaped prisoner's ascension is 'ridiculous?'

They believe only those born outside the cave are capable of understanding true reality.

They are jealous of the escaped prisoner's newfound wisdom and want to undermine their confidence.

They perceive the returnee's impaired vision as a negative consequence, questioning the value of the journey. (correct)

They fear the escaped prisoner will reveal their deepest secrets to the outside world.

What would the escaped prisoner rather do, than revert to the cave?

They would rather persuade everyone else to come with them, than go back to the cave alone.

They would rather endure suffering than return to their previous way of thinking. (correct)

They would rather attempt to escape again, than going back to the cave.

They would rather take their own life than risk being trapped again.

In Plato's analogy, what does the climb out of the cave represent?

The mind's progression into true knowledge and wisdom, leaving behind sensory perceptions. Signup and view all the answers

According to Maslow, what primarily motivates human behavior at the most basic level?

The need for physical survival. Signup and view all the answers

What did Maslow call the first four levels?

Deficiency needs Signup and view all the answers

According to Maslow, what happens once basic needs are reasonably satisfied?

They diminish in importance, allowing individuals to focus on higher-level growth needs. Signup and view all the answers

What can disrupt progress through Maslow's hierarchy?

The failure to adequately meet lower-level needs. Signup and view all the answers

According to Paul Ricoeur's narrative theory, what primarily defines the self?

A structured and unified narrative. Signup and view all the answers

What is a key characteristic of the 'narrative self' according to the provided text?

It is open to revision and reinterpretation throughout life. Signup and view all the answers

What does Paul Ricoeur mean by 'cosmological time'?

Time experienced as a linear progression from birth to death. Signup and view all the answers

According to Ricoeur, what happens when an individual's narrative becomes fragmented?

The individual experiences a fragmented sense of self. Signup and view all the answers

According to Aristotle, where do universals exist?

Within each individual thing Signup and view all the answers

How does Jean-Paul Sartre's 'project theory' conceptualize the self?

As an event unfolding in time. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a criticism Aristotle made about Plato's theory of Forms regarding change?

Forms are incapable of explaining alteration or movement. Signup and view all the answers

What is 'phenomenological time' according to Paul Ricoeur?

Time experienced in terms of personal past, present, and future. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a characteristic of the narrative self?

It is collaboratively constructed and influenced by social interaction. Signup and view all the answers

What did Aristotle think about Plato's theory and how it relates to knowledge of particular things?

It makes having knowledge of objects not related to the objects themselves. Signup and view all the answers

According to Aristotle, how should people arrive at knowledge of particular things?

Through studying the things themselves. Signup and view all the answers

How does the narrative theory explain our understanding of time?

We experience time as a union of objective progression and subjective connection between past, present, and future. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following aligns with Aristotle's critique of Plato's theory on the existence of particular objects?

Ideal Forms are separate from particular objects, creating a disconnect between the ideal and the real. Signup and view all the answers

What is the 'third man' argument in the context of Plato's theory of Forms?

An argument that suggests that there needs to be something that directly connects Ideal Forms with the real forms. Signup and view all the answers

According to the content, what fundamental requirement must be satisfied to bridge the gap between individual instances and ideal forms?

A connection that bridges the gap between both worlds. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best summarizes Aristotle's disagreement with Plato's theory of Forms?

Aristotle rejected the notion of separate Forms, arguing they exist within individual objects and criticized Plato for creating a disconnect for knowledge and change. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best describes the core belief of atheism?

There is no deity or divine being. Signup and view all the answers

What is the central tenet of agnosticism?

It is impossible to know or prove the existence or non-existence of a deity. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best summarizes the 'Problem of Evil' argument against the existence of God?

An all-powerful and benevolent God would not allow the level of suffering that exists. Signup and view all the answers

How do some atheists use scientific discoveries to argue against the existence of God?

Science offers natural explanations for phenomena previously attributed to God. Signup and view all the answers

What psychological explanation do some atheists offer for the belief in God?

Belief in God offers comfort and meaning in the face of uncertainty. Signup and view all the answers

What do atheists propose regarding the purpose of life?

Life lacks any inherent purpose assigned or created by a divine power. Signup and view all the answers

What is the reasoning behind the claim that humans' free will is responsible for the problem of evil?

Humans' rejection of God and misuse of free will leads to evil. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the conflict between modern science and some religious views, according to the text?

Science has challenged the idea that humans occupy a privileged position. Signup and view all the answers

According to Pascal's Wager, what is the potential loss associated with betting against the existence of God?

Eternal suffering in hell. Signup and view all the answers

What does Pascal consider the only real issue regarding the existence of God?

Heaven and hell. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes Pascal's view on atheism?

The ultimate bad investment. Signup and view all the answers

According to the substance theory of self, what primarily defines the self?

A determinate and unitary mental substance. Signup and view all the answers

How does Descartes characterize the relationship between the self and the body?

The self controls the body and brain, like a captain controls a ship. Signup and view all the answers

Which characteristic is NOT attributed to the substantial self?

Susceptibility to decomposition. Signup and view all the answers

What role does experience play in relation to the substantial self?

The self supports changing experiences but does not itself change. Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary distinction between the self, according to substance theory, and material objects?

The self is immaterial and mental, while material objects are physical. Signup and view all the answers

According to the theory presented, what is a key characteristic of the will?

It operates outside the deterministic laws of nature. Signup and view all the answers

What do existentialists believe about humans and their choices?

Humans are fundamentally free to define themselves. Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential consequence of radical freedom, according to the text?

Moments of angst or anxiety due to groundless values. Signup and view all the answers

What is the core tenet of causal determinism?

All physical events are caused by preceding events according to causal laws. Signup and view all the answers

According to determinists, what is the status of free will?

An illusion. Signup and view all the answers

What is a key implication of causal determinism on a person's personality?

Personality is formed for someone, not created by someone. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement aligns with the theory that prisoners in chains enjoy freedom of will?

Even when physical action is impossible, one can still will freely. Signup and view all the answers

In existentialism, what are humans seen to bear at all times, in all situations?

The responsibility of complete freedom. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Exam Format

Exam is 15% of final mark
30 multiple choice questions (1 mark each)
2 quote analysis questions (5 marks each)
3 short answer questions (6 marks each)
1 essay question (40 marks)
Total marks = 98

Unit 1: Introduction to Philosophy

Philosophy: The study of fundamental questions about existence, knowledge, and value.

Lesson 1.2: Plato's Allegory of the Cave

Prisoners in a cave only see shadows of real objects.
Their reality is just shadows.
One prisoner is freed, but the process is painful.
The glare of the fire blinds him because he is unaccustomed to it.
What the freed prisoner thinks if someone explains that everything he had seen before was an illusion and that his vision is clearer now?
Would he accept it or reject it at this point?
The prisoner might believe that the shadows are more real than the objects that cast them.
If he were released from the cave he would suffer greatly.
As he approaches the light his eyes would be dazzled and he won't be able to see any of the world that those outside the cave call reality.
He will have to adjust to the light of the bright sun slowly.
The process would be slow.
He might begin with the shadows on the ground, maybe next reflections of people and objects in the water then maybe the objects themselves.
Eventually, he would begin to understand that the sun produces the seasons and the years and that it controls everything that he and his fellow prisoners used to see.
His mind would return to the other prisoners in the cave.
He'd be happy for himself but not for the other prisoners.
He would realise that although some prisoners might have been praised for their quickness of wit, that they were not truly wise.
He would rather endure anything rather than thinking and living as he once did.
Going back to the cave would mean returning to darkness.
He would have to compete in discerning shadows with the prisoners who had not been released and whose eyes were still dim.
They would think that his ascension was ridiculous and not worthwhile for all it resulted in was ruined eyesight.
They might feel that it is better not to ascend.
The prisoners might be very resistant to gaining new knowledge; they might even go so far as to kill those trying to free them.

Unit 1.3: Maslow's Hierarchy

Five tier model of human needs.
Later revised to an eight tier model.
Deficiency needs (maintenance)
Growth needs (self-actualisation)
The basic need is survival, and this motivates behaviour
When a deficit need is satisfied, focus shifts to next level
Growth needs may become stronger once engaged.
Reaching the highest level (self-actualization)
Disruptions due to unmet lower level needs or life experiences
Fluctuations between levels.
The next level up is what motivates behaviour

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Description

Test your understanding of Plato's Allegory of the Cave and its implications on perception and reality. This quiz covers multiple choice, quote analysis, short answers, and an essay question to evaluate your critical thinking skills regarding philosophical concepts.