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

English Grammar: Active to Passive Voice Transformations

Review of Active Voice (AV) to Passive Voice (PV) conversions:

• Simple Forms:
  • Read (AV) → is read (PV)
  • Bought (AV) → were bought (PV)
  • Will pay (AV) → will be paid (PV)
• Continuous Forms:
  • Is cooking (AV) → is being cooked (PV)
  • Were discussing (AV) → was being discussed (PV)
• Perfect Forms:
  • Have done (AV) → have been done (PV)
  • Had cleaned (AV) → had been cleaned (PV)
  • Will have finished (AV) → will have been finished (PV)

Teenagers Seeking Cosmetic Surgery: Key Findings

Summary of Reading Comprehension Points

1. The primary motivation for seeking surgery is being worried about physical appearance. (p. 1)
2. Sandra believes her father funded her operation to provoke anger in Sandra's mother. (p. 2)

Animal Farm

Pride and Prejudice

Things to Keep in Mind

The Flawed Lens

• Use of different narrative styles: dialogue vs. epistolary tradition
• Both used for characterization
  • Collins' long-winded speeches are reflected in the long-winded letters, contrasted with Elizabeth and Darcy's quick-witted exchanges
• Letters: Serve as monologues and reveal inner feelings and sentiments
• Dialogue: Character interactions that develop their complexities in different scenarios
• Both serve for plot development
• Morality in Pride and Prejudice
  • Austen feared that economic considerations would overcome morality in human conduct (reflected in Wickham's mercenary personality)
  • A sense of morality is instilled in the readers as they read about the events that occur
  • The message is made more impactful

Core Traits of Philosophers

• Lovers of wisdom
• Seekers of truth
• Reasonable
• Critically minded
• Questioning
• Curious
• Objective

Philosophers are generally *not* selfish, closed-minded, pessimistic, reckless individuals, or uninterested.

What is Wisdom?

Wisdom is the ability to use knowledge and intelligence for practical purposes.

Key Fields of Philosophy

• The study of ultimate reality: Metaphysics
• The limits of human knowledge: Epistemology
• The science of reasoning: Logic
• The study of morals: Ethics
• The study of society: Social/Political Philosophy
• The study of values: Axiology
• The study of beauty and art: Aesthetics

Etymology of Philosophy

• Philos ("love") + Sophia ("wisdom")

Stoicism

Key Figures in Stoicism

• Founder of Stoicism, taught in Athens: Zeno
• Created the system

History: Understanding Our Past

• Who: Everyone's past
• What: Records evidence of what people have done
• Where: Everywhere
• When: Ever since the beginning of time
• Why: To look at our past and learn about the people who came before us

Creation Stories: Origins of the World

• Who: Human societies
• What: Stories about how the world began
• Where: Everywhere
• When: Since the beginning of time
• Why: People trying to understand how the world came to be, according to their societies' points of view

Theory of Evolution: Darwin's Legacy

• Who: Charles Darwin
• What: A theory of how humans came to be
• Where: Origin of the human race
• When: Since the beginning of time
• Why: People seek to understand Earth's origins; this theory aligns with natural selection

Agricultural Revolution: Food

Animal Anatomy and Features

External Body Parts

• Antennae: Butterfly, Snail
• Antlers: Deer
• Arms: Monkey, Gorilla
• Beak: Birds
• Claws: Lion, Dog, Eagle
• Fangs: Lion, Snake, Cat, Dog
• Feathers: Birds
• Fins: Fish, Dolphins
• Front Legs: (Patas delanteras)
• Fur: Dog, Lion
• Gills: Fish
• Hind Legs: Gorilla, Lion
• Hooves: Horse, Sheep, Deer
• Horn: Cow, Rhino
• Knuckles: Gorilla, Monkey
• Mane: Lion, Horse
• Palms: Gorilla
• Paws: Dog, Tiger
• Scales: Fish, Snake, Armadillo
• Shell: Tortoise, Snail
• Tail: Bird, Lion, Horse
• Tentacles: Octopus, Squid
• Tusks: Elephant, Walrus
• Whiskers: Cat
• Wings: Bird, Bat

Animal Vocalizations

• ROAR: Lion
• MIAOW: Cat
• BARK: Dog
• HISS: Snake
• WHISTLE: Dolphin
• SQUAWK: Parrot
• CHATTER: Monkey
• SQUEAK: Mouse
• BUZZ: Bee

Animal Idioms in English

These phrases use animal references:

• Be in the dog house:

Understanding Key Social Principles

The principle of subsidiarity derives from the Christian notion of society. It also determines the State's obligation to take additional, exceptional, complementary, and supportive action in social sectors or functions when society is unable to achieve its goals independently. It aims to promote and assist society. Main characteristics include:

1. It is a principle of reason, not of faith, limiting the natural rights of individuals and social groups.
2. It comprehends both dimensions of social life: the relationship between vertical and horizontal dimensions based on respect for and promotion of social freedom.
3. It is a grave, immutable principle, universal in time and space.
4. It self-adapts to each country and circumstance

Interdependent and Indivisible

All human rights are indivisible, whether they are civil and political rights, such as the right to life, equality before the law and freedom of expression; economic, social and cultural rights, such as the rights to work, social security and education, or collective rights, such as the rights to development and self-determination. They are indivisible, interrelated and interdependent. The improvement of one right facilitates advancement of the others. Likewise, the deprivation of one right adversely affects the others.

Equal and Non-Discriminatory

Non-discrimination is a cross-cutting principle in international human rights law. The principle is present in all the major human rights treaties and provides the central... Continue reading "Core Principles of Human Rights" »

Understanding Health Insurance Basics

Medicaid vs. Medicare

Medicaid: Medical assistance for low-income persons or families. This is "means-tested," meaning eligibility is based on income.

Medicare: Health insurance for those aged 65 and older, certain individuals under 65 with disabilities, or those with End-Stage Renal Disease. Funded by employer-employee taxes from paychecks.

Medicare Parts

• Part A: Hospital Insurance
• Part B: Medical Insurance (includes options like HMO, PPO, fee-for-service)
• Part D: Prescription Drug Coverage

Medigap (Medicare Supplemental Insurance)

Private insurance plans designed to fill in "gaps" not covered by Medicare.

→ Each policy typically covers one person.

Limits Set by Insurance Companies

• Per Claim Maximum: The maximum

The Making of Amends for Wrong or Injury Done - Reparation

Tending to Talk a Great Deal - Loquacious

To Prove to Be False or Erroneous, as an Opinion or Charge - Refutable

Showing Great Attention to Detail, Very Careful and Precise - Meticulous

A Right or Privilege Exclusive to a Particular Individual or Class - Prerogative

A Person New to or Inexperienced in a Field or Situation - Novice

Dangerously High or Steep - Precipitous

The Ability to Make Good Judgements and Quick Decisions, Typically in a Particular Domain - Acumen

Having or Showing a Strong or Unreasoning Desire for Revenge - Vindictive

A Spontaneous or Natural Liking Sympathy for Someone or Something - Affinity

Not Conspicuous or Attracting Attention - Unobtrusive

The Character and Atmosphere... Continue reading "Reparation, Loquacious, Refutable, and More: Vocabulary Words Explained" »