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

Introduction to Metaphysics

Metaphysics is a branch of philosophy which questions reality. Why do things and beings exist? What are they? Where do we come from? Metaphysical doctrines have always been developed to oppose rival doctrines.

Metaphysical categories: unity-plurality, reality-appearance, essence-existence, necessity-contingency, matter-spirit

Metaphysical doctrines: monism-pluralism, essentialism-existentialism, materialism-dualism

The Criteria of Demarcation

The Criteria of Demarcation For science to be considered scientific, criteria were established to distinguish between what is a scientific discipline and what is not. Verificationism and falsificationism propose two different sets of criteria.

Verificationism states that only theories... Continue reading "Metaphysics, Scientific Method, and Cosmology: A Historical Overview" »

Teenagers and Unhealthy Diets

Some teenagers tend to eat unhealthy diets due to a lack of awareness about the consequences. These diets are often the easiest options, primarily because parents don't always educate their children about the potential health risks. Moreover, junk food is often easier to prepare, more affordable, and tends to be tastier. However, tastiness doesn't equate to healthiness. We are constantly bombarded with tempting advertisements for unhealthy food, whether through digital media, television, or even on the street. Think of McDonald's, Burger King, and Telepizza constantly showcasing their appealing yet unhealthy products.

Promoting Healthy Habits

We need collective campaigns to promote both sports and healthy, varied... Continue reading "Teen Diets & Cousin Moha: Health, Humor, and Family Ties" »

Humanism

Humanism was the first cultural movement to develop an anthropocentric worldview. It defended that human beings, their intelligence and their love of knowledge were some of the main concerns of humanists, even though they were at the service of the Christian faith.

Empiricism

Empiricism claimed that we should not accept reasoning that could not be empirically validated through observation and experimentation.

Rationalism

Rationalism stated that the truths established by authority and tradition should be criticised, and that reason was the only valid criterion.

Science

Science is knowledge obtained through observation and reasoning, with a systematic structure from which we deduce general principles and laws that can be verified experimentally.... Continue reading "From Humanism to the Industrial Revolution: Key Movements and Concepts" »

A Virtuous Individual

An individual who I considered to be virtuous is my best friend, Reid Bartholomew. Reid would always look out for everyone around him, friends, and family. The Golden Mean is the midpoint between two extremes, which are known as deficiency and excess. Where the golden mean lies between the vices depends on the situation. For example, courage could be considered the golden mean while cowardice is a deficiency and recklessness is an excess.

In Aristotle’s virtue ethics, he provided three conditions for authentic moral actions.

1. The subject knows well what he is doing. For instance, Reid had planned on completing all his homework for one day so he would have more time to study for his midterms the next day.
2. The subject does

Contra Descartes and Kant, the cogito cannot be aware of anything let alone itself without the recognition of its own existence in the gaze of the other. “I cannot obtain any truth

TEMA 6: Vocabulary

1. Identifying, Listing, and Defining Artistic Proofs

• a. Ethos: Character (past observable behavior, testimony, and credentials)
• b. Pathos: Emotion (we try to hide emotions to make a decision, but it is the most compelling factor)
• c. Logos: Reasoning/logic/coherence (check against pathos and logos)

2. Differentiating Between Mood, Mind, and Action in an Argument

Understanding the distinctions between mood, mind, and action is crucial in crafting persuasive arguments.

3. Identifying the Parts of a Syllogism

• Major premise
• Minor premise
• Conclusion

4. Finding the Major Premise of an Argument Based on the Minor Premise

This involves deductive reasoning to uncover the underlying assumptions of an argument.

5. Defining Key Debate Terms

• Burden of proof: The person

What Concept Does Plato Try to Clarify in The Republic and Why?

The Republic is a work whose object of discussion is to determine what justice consists of.

Plato wants to clarify justice, because for Plato it is easier to perceive justice in a complex existence than in a simple one.

He said that it’s easier to understand how justice operates in a city than in a single individual. Justice is a virtue common to man and the city; we could look for it, therefore, in one and another; as the city is very big, justice must be inscribed in it more clearly.

Which Three Classes Do the Ideal Society of Plato Need? Why Are They Necessary?

• Producers/workers/artisans: to gather the social body with all the necessary goods for its survival.
• Auxiliaries/defenders/

Aristotle's Virtue: Finding the Balance

The main theme is that virtues such as temperance and courage can be destroyed by both defect and excess, and that finding a balance or proportion in their exercise is essential to their preservation and growth. The text uses the examples of strength and health, as well as cowardice and rashness, to illustrate this point.

Aristotle's Concept of Virtue

Aristotle's concept of virtue is central to his ethical philosophy. He believed that virtue was a habit or disposition that allowed a person to act in accordance with reason and to achieve their goals in life. Virtue, according to Aristotle, is a mean between two extremes: deficiency and excess.

Examples of the Golden Mean

For example, the virtue of courage is... Continue reading "Aristotle's Virtue: The Golden Mean" »