Notes, summaries, assignments, exams, and problems for Philosophy and ethics

Chapter 5 Vocabulary

blithely

Cheerfully, without any cares.

dogcart

A small horse-drawn cart.

manifestly

Obviously.

ratified

Approved.

canvassing

Trying to gain support.

innovations

New things or ideas.

silage

A method of preserving grass for cattle feed.

basic slag

Fertiliser.

incubators

Apparatuses for hatching eggs.

closeted

Shut up in a small private room.

urinated

Pissed, peed.

procured

Got, acquired.

restive

Uneasy, ready to break free of control.

advocating

Putting forward an idea, arguing in support of something.

marshal

Put in order, gather together.

articulate

Able to put thoughts into words.

moonshine

Silly plan.

watchword

Motto.

disinterred

Dug up from his grave.

Chapter 6 Vocabulary

utilize

Use.

governess-cart

A light horse-drawn vehicle.

superintendence

Direction, management.

Philosophical Schools of Thought

Major Philosophers and Their Ideas

Key Concepts and Arguments:

1. Accepted both ideas of permanence (higher forms) and impermanence (lower forms). Plato
2. Reality is divided into two parts: the visible and the invisible. Plato
3. Believed humans are born without any knowledge. Locke
4. Created a synthesis between rationalism and empiricism. Kant
5. Thought the mind and body are connected in the pituitary gland. Descartes
6. Concluded there is as much reality in the cause as in the effect. Descartes
7. Found the mind to be structured to apprehend “Sense reality.” Kant
8. Said, “The seen is changing. The unseen

Philosophical Views on Human Nature and Law

There are many reasons why human nature and the purpose of laws exist. Thomas Hobbes believed human nature to be brutish and destructive; thus, the purpose of laws is to prevent such nature and maintain order. Hypothetically, an anti-violence law regulating society to prevent harm would align with Hobbes's views.

For Aristotle, human life is neither inherently good nor bad by nature; rather, upbringing determines social and political character. Nevertheless, Aristotle believed the purpose of laws is to encourage virtue. He would likely support laws aiding those in need, especially after natural disasters. For instance, the Model Act for Facilitation of International Disaster Relief and Recovery Assistance... Continue reading "Philosophical Foundations of Law and Human Rights" »

This document details significant hominin fossil discoveries and the crucial milestones in human evolution, from early bipedalism to the development of complex thought and culture.

Notable Hominin Fossils and Their Characteristics

True or False

1. Space and time are forms of sensibility and objects given in intuitions. T
2. A unicorn is a simple idea, but horse and horn are complex as they result from sensations. F
3. For Descartes, the mind is an infinite substance trapped in the finite body. F
4. Since babies cannot count, quantity is learned and is not an a priori category of the understanding. T
5. Reflections, for Locke, are acts of the mind while sensation provides ideas of the external world. T
6. Kant believed self, cosmos, and God offer unity and completeness. T
7. Although Kant argued that minds move towards wholeness, the way the mind analyzes raw data differs by culture. T
8. While odor and taste are part of objects, motion depends on the observer. F
9. The word empiricism is derived from the

Foundations of Citizen Rights (Articles 18, 20, 21)

1. Defining the Individual Citizen (Article 20)

An individual is considered a citizen. One does not need to be economically active to rely on citizen rights; rights are gained upon birth in the EU.

2. Measuring Breaches of Rights (Articles 21, 18, 20)

• Right to Reside (Article 21): The right of residence exists but can be limited if the individual lacks sufficient resources.
• Non-Discrimination (Article 18): Protects against discrimination based on nationality. Once people have a residence permit, if they are not economically active, they can rely on Article 18 for social assistance.
• Students may request loans. Members States (MS) can require social integration but do not require settled status; this

Meaning of Insurance

Insurance is a form of contract under which one party (the Insurer or Insurance Company) agrees, in return for a consideration (the Insurance Premium), to pay an agreed sum of money to another party (the Insured) to compensate for a loss, damage, or injury to something of value in which the insured has a financial interest as a result of some uncertain event.

Core Principles of Insurance

Insurance contracts are governed by several fundamental principles:

1. Utmost Good Faith (Uberrimae Fidei)

   Insurance contracts are based upon mutual trust and confidence between the insurer and the insured. It is a condition of every insurance contract that both parties (the insurer and the insured) must disclose every material fact and information

The Rise of Advanced Robotic Arms

This article discusses robotic arms developed by companies such as Amazon and FedEx, capable of picking and sorting objects with human-like dexterity.

For years, engineers have strived to replicate the human capacity to grip and manipulate objects using robots. However, recent advancements in artificial intelligence, camera technology, and engineering now enable robots to "see" and dynamically adjust their grip on objects of varying sizes and shapes.

Critics express concern that this technology will lead to significant job losses. Others, however, raise different concerns, including the potential for higher worker injury rates or the need for stricter human surveillance to ensure production targets are met.

According... Continue reading "Robotic Arms and AI: Shaping the Future of Work" »

active:

Learning from Mistakes: Popper and Kuhn

Science progresses not by proving theories right, but by recognizing when our understanding of reality is false. Scientists actively try to disprove their theories.

• Induction: If you observe that it rains every Thursday for four weeks, you might conclude that it always rains on Thursdays.
• Science aims to avoid the problem of induction.
• Scientists propose a hypothesis and then test it, seeking evidence that could falsify it. If falsified, the hypothesis is rejected.
• Kuhn: Argued that there are no objective facts waiting to be discovered. Progress occurs through "paradigm shifts," where existing frameworks of thought are overturned.

The Runaway Train and the Unwanted Fiddler

These thought experiments by Philippa... Continue reading "Key Philosophical Concepts: From Popper to Singer" »