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

Essential Vocabulary and Definitions

Victuals

Food or provisions.

Boughs

The main branch of a tree.

Whim

A sudden desire or change of mind, especially one that is unusual or unexplained.

Plunder

To steal goods from a place or person, typically using force and in a time of war or civil disorder.

Gorge

A narrow valley between hills or mountains, typically with steep rocky walls and a stream running through it.

Gloom

Partial or total darkness.

Petrels

A seabird related to the shearwaters, typically flying far from land.

Insidious

Proceeding in a gradual, subtle way, but with harmful effects.

Cast Off

To set a boat or ship free from its moorings.

Mooring lines

A line that holds an object (especially a boat) in place.

Rowlocks

A holder attached to the gunwale of a boat

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" »

Sanatana Dharma: The Eternal Truth

Sanatana Dharma consists of virtues such as honesty and refraining from injuring living beings. It is contrasted with svadharma, or one’s "own duty." This term has also more recently been used by Hindu leaders, reformers, and nationalists to refer to Hinduism as a unified world religion.

Totemism and Symbolic Identity

Totemism is a system of belief in which humans are said to have kinship or a mystical relationship with a spirit-being, such as an animal or plant. The entity, or totem, is thought to interact with a given kin group or an individual and to serve as their emblem or symbol, representing a symbolic identity between nature and the psyche.

Re-ligare: The Origin of Religion

Re-ligare is the Latin root... Continue reading "Essential Concepts of Hinduism and Spiritual Philosophy" »

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)

Religious Impulse and Modern Belief

The religious impulse explains why people have historically searched for meaning in life, often leading to a belief in a deity.

Syncretism and Tolerance

• Syncretism: A modern concept where individuals integrate elements from various faiths present within their culture or household.
• Tolerance: Today, we encourage individuals to be true to themselves and investigate various belief systems to find their path, moving away from historical practices like residential schools.

Core Philosophical Frameworks

• Naturalism: The belief that the material world is all that exists; only that which can be observed via the five senses is accepted as real.
• Pantheism: The belief that only the spiritual dimension exists and humanity is

Health: Advantages and Challenges

Nowadays, health is important for everyone. There are many reasons to take care of it, but it also presents challenges. In this essay, we will have a look at both sides of the argument.

The Benefits of Prioritizing Health

On the one hand, taking care of our bodies keeps us feeling strong and energetic. Regular exercise, balanced nutrition, and sufficient sleep prevent illnesses like heart disease and obesity. Also, mental wellbeing is essential for overall health. Another advantage is that healthy habits contribute to a longer, more fulfilling life. Avoiding substances like alcohol and attending regular check-ups can increase lifespan and improve health.

Health Challenges in the Modern World

On the other hand, not... Continue reading "Health and Remote Work: Advantages & Challenges" »

Understanding Statements

What is a Statement?

A statement is a declarative sentence capable of being either true or false.

Example: "Broccoli is a good source of vitamin A."

Non-Statements

Non-statements include:

• Questions (open-ended)
• Commands
• Exclamations
• Suggestions

Example: "Is it cold outside?"

Argument Structure: Indicators

Conclusion Indicators

Words that often signal a conclusion:

• Therefore
• Thus
• Consequently
• For this reason
• So

Premise Indicators

Words that often signal a premise:

• Since
• Because
• For
• For that reason
• In that
• As
• Given that

Deductive Argument Forms

Invalid Argument Example 1

This example demonstrates a common logical fallacy:

• Premise 1: All banks are financial institutions.
• Premise 2: Wells Fargo is a financial institution.
• Conclusion: Therefore, Wells Fargo

Understanding Sympathy

1. Earthquake in China vs. Pinky

2. Using imagination to understand someone else’s pain

3. Challenge of 'blind' sympathy

Adam Smith described sympathy as an automatic reaction. Whenever we see people in pain, we cringe. Whenever we see people happy, we cannot help but smile. Through our own faculties and senses, we attempt to imagine what it is like to feel another person’s life with our own. But the sympathy we feel for others is limited by their relative closeness. We tend to sympathize with those closer to us in a single moment than a multitude of people we have never met. Smith uses the example of an earthquake in China against the threat of a severed finger. Although people claim the loss of a finger is nothing to... Continue reading "Understanding Sympathy and Economic Perspectives" »