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

Monotheism

Religious belief that affirms the existence of only one God.

Multiculturalism

Cultural phenomenon that involves the coexistence of cultural groups, which have very different origins, within the same society.

Myth

Story that incorporates elements of fantasy to explain the origin of a natural or social reality.

Objective Knowledge

Knowledge of reality as it really is, without being compromised or distorted by subjective knowledge.

Pantheism

Philosophical doctrine that involves identifying God with nature. It affirms the divine nature of reality in its entirety. It can, therefore, be considered to be a form of monism. This concept was notably explored by philosopher Baruch Spinoza.

Person

Individual substance of rational nature. Roman philosopher... Continue reading "Glossary of Philosophical and Cultural Terms" »

The Principle of Solidarity

We are all responsible for helping others, protecting and caring for vulnerable people. If we practiced generosity, there might not be a need for the extensive welfare systems we have. Solidarity particularly highlights the intrinsic social nature of the human person, the equality of all in dignity and rights, and the common path of individuals and peoples towards an ever more committed unity. Solidarity represents a moral value to pursue the common good and social virtue, aiming to achieve justice.

The Principle of Subsidiarity

Governments should not intervene in problems that can be resolved effectively by families or lower-level associations. The State has a role of guidance and protection; it should be at the service... Continue reading "Solidarity, Subsidiarity, and Social Justice Principles" »

1. What does Julia believe about the rocket bombs that has never occurred to Winston before? Julia believes the rocket bombs are deployed by the government of Oceania against its own citizens.

1. What does Winston argue about with Julia and eventually convince her of? Winston argues with Julia and eventually convinces her of the fact that Oceania was at war with Eastasia, not Eurasia, until four years ago.

1. What does Winston tell Julia that she thinks is “brilliantly witty”? Winston tells Julia that she is “only a rebel from the waist downwards.”

1. On whom does Winston think the Party is most successful in imposing its worldview? Winston thinks the Party is most successful in imposing its worldview on people who are unable to actually understand

Fetal Personhood and Abortion: A Comparative Analysis

Mary Anne Warren's Criteria for Personhood

Mary Anne Warren would likely argue that a six-week-old fetus does not meet the criteria for personhood. She outlines five conditions necessary for an entity to be considered a person:

1. Consciousness and the capacity to feel pain.
2. Reasoning ability.
3. Capacity for self-motivated activity.
4. Ability to communicate.
5. Self-awareness and self-concepts.

According to Warren, if a fetus does not fulfill all five conditions, it cannot be considered a person. Therefore, she would likely support the permissibility of abortion in this case.

George and Lee's Argument for Fetal Moral Status

In contrast, George and Lee would argue that abortion is morally wrong because it involves... Continue reading "Fetal Personhood and Abortion: A Comparative Analysis of Warren, George, and Lee" »

Point 7: Evidence and Memory

"The only evidence is inside my own mind, and I don't know with any certainty that any other human being shares my memories."

Context: Winston is explaining to Julia about how there is no history and that there is no real evidence that anything happened.

Significance: Shows how the Party keeps everything in the present. Because they are always reinventing history, it ceases to exist since the evidence is falsified.

Point 8: The Proles vs. The Party

"The proles are human beings, he said. We are not humans."

Context: Winston is talking about the proles and explaining the contrast between his people (the Outer Party) and them. He perceives the proles to be human because they are loyal only to each other and not to the Party.... Continue reading "Key Passages and Analysis from 1984" »

The Role of Sympathy in Economics

Adam Smith's Perspective on Sympathy

Adam Smith described sympathy as an automatic reaction that influences our economic behavior. He observed that people tend to reflect the emotions of others, feeling happiness or pain in response to the emotions displayed by those around them. However, Smith noted that sympathy has its limits, as we tend to sympathize more with those closer to us, such as family and friends, than with strangers.

For example, Smith argued that a person would be more distressed by the loss of their own finger than by an earthquake in a distant country, simply because they lack a personal connection to the victims of the earthquake. This limitation of sympathy, according to Smith, influences our... Continue reading "Sympathy in Economics: From Personal Connections to Global Markets" »

Common Words and Phrases

Pannikin: a small pan or cup made of metal and used for eating or drinking.

I dare say: used for saying something is probably true, although you do not know for certain.

Scores of: lots of.

Obsolete: no longer used because something newer has replaced it.

Pedant: someone who gives too much importance to details and formal rules, especially of grammar.

An afterthought: something that you think of and say after you have finished saying something.

Vapid: showing no sign of intelligence.

Eagerness: enthusiasm.

Flittered: appeared for a very short time.

Types of Houses

Detached House

Having no wall in common with another building.

Bungalow

A small house or summer cottage.

Loft

An upper room or storage area beneath a sloping roof; attic.... Continue reading "Vocabulary and Terminology for Everyday Life" »

Understanding how words change form is crucial for mastering English grammar and expanding your vocabulary. This document provides a clear breakdown of common suffixes used to create nouns, verbs, adjectives, and adverbs, along with examples of word transformations.

Understanding Noun Forms and Suffixes

Nouns are words that name people, places, things, or ideas. They can often be formed from other parts of speech by adding specific suffixes.

Common Noun Suffixes:

• -al (e.g., approval)
• -ing (e.g., getting, decorating)
• -ion/-tion (e.g., relation, possession, addition)
• -ism (e.g., tourism)
• -ity (e.g., similarity, ability)
• -ment (e.g., government, argument, development)
• -ness (e.g., laziness, darkness, sharpness, weakness)
• -ship (e.g., partnership, relationship)