Introduction to Philosophy Exam Study Sheet PDF

**Introduction to Philosophy** **Mr. Dixon** EXAM 1- STUDY SHEET 1. The term Philosophy has Greek origins, break the word down and explain what it means in the roots of the word? Within that word is the root of sophist, explain the meaning of sophist. Philos means to love or admire...

**Introduction to Philosophy** **Mr. Dixon** EXAM 1- STUDY SHEET 1. The term Philosophy has Greek origins, break the word down and explain what it means in the roots of the word? Within that word is the root of sophist, explain the meaning of sophist. Philos means to love or admire or appreciate. Sophia means wisdom. Sophist is an expert or trickster. A presocratic member of the school of Philosophy 2. What is the root of metaphysics according to Lavine in the Indestructible Questions? Describe this branch of philosophy Meta- meaning of the mind, physics meaning interaction between two entities. It's the branch of the philosophy which asks questions about reality. What's apparent and what's real. 3. What is epistemology and who was one of the foremost thinkers in this branch of Philosophy? Provide the famous quote to this person and explain what it means. The theory of knowledge, the study of knowledge, how we know what we know. Rene DesCartes said, "Cogito ergo sum." I think therefore I am. 4. Lavine in the Indestructible Questions outlines the philosophy of ethics, political philosophy and logic. Explain these three branches of philosophy and what they mean. Ethics: Is there a highest good for human beings? Is there an absolute good? Political Philosophy: The best forms of government, what are the principles that justify government and who should have power or control. Logic: From the Greek word logos, which means reason or what something means. The soundness of your own arguments, what are the principals of valid reasoning, how can one recognize reasoning which is not valid. 5. What are rival theories? Theories that compete against each other, contradict each other, that are diametrically opposed to each other 6. In Thirteen Theories, Stevenson tells us there are four elements to developing a theory of human nature. List those four elements. 1. A background in metaphysical understanding of the universe and humanity's place in it. 2. A theory of human nature and general claims about human beings and the conditions. 3. A diagnosis of some of the defects of human beings. 4. A prescription of how human life could be rectified. 7. Give the two defensive mechanisms for a closed system of thinking. 1. It does not allow evidence to count against the theory and attempts to always explain away counterevidence 2. Answering criticism by analyzing the motivations of the critic 8. Stevenson explains how criticism should be replied to in Thirteen Theories. Elaborate on Stevenson's explanation. Criticism must be replied to on its merits, motivations don't matter. It takes rational, philosophical discussion and open-ended discussion. 9. What does Stevenson say to the committed and their take on philosophy in Thirteen Theories? So we say to the committed, including fundamentalists of various persuasions, we are not asking you to give up your commitment, but think about it. 10. How does Stevenson describe the makeup of an ideology and why do some not like their ideology to be questioned? A way if life is an Ideology, some don't like questions over their ideology because it may threaten them and cause psychological or distress... It takes courage to question or abandon one's life commitment.