Philosophy Midterm

Metaphysics

The study of one being or reality

Epistemology

Nature of Knowledge

Presocratic Philosophers

Philosophers from before or during the time of Socrates including Thales of Miletus Anaximander and Herodotus

Arche

Principle or over arching idea of the whole world

Materialism

The belief that principles are of material nature

Pluralist

Believe in two principles or entities

Monist

Believes in just one principle

Apeiron

Infinite in space and time and of non specific nature

Anthropomorphism

To think that nature can be described using human characteristics

Law of Identity

A is A

Law of Non-contradiction

It cannot be true that at the same time A is B and A is not B

Law of Excluded Middle

Every proposition must be either true or false with no third option

Homonymity

A word is used homonymously in two different occurrences if every occurrence has a different meaning

Conceptual Truths

Truths that are analytic necessary and a priori

Empirical Truths

Truths that are synthetic a posterior and contingent

Argument

A collection of statements where premises support or justify a conclusion

Deductive Argument

Argument in which the premises aim to support the conclusion with necessity

Inductive Argument

Argument in which the premises make the conclusion probably true

Valid Argument

An argument in which if the premises were true the conclusion would be true

Modus Ponens

First form of valid argument structured as 1. If A then B 2. A 3. Therefore B

Modus Tollens

Second form of valid argument structured as 1. If A then B 2. Not B 3. Therefore Not A

Hypothetical Syllogism

Third form of valid argument structured as 1. If A then B 2. If B then C 3. Therefore if A then C

Disjunctive Syllogism

Fourth form of a valid argument structured as 1. Either A or B 2. Not A 3. Therefore B

Sound Argument

A valid argument plus a true premise

Intelligible World

Unchangeable reality conceived by mind containing the forms

Visible World

Changeable reality perceived by senses

Skepticism

The epistemological stance that claims that knowledge is impossible

Ataraxia

Tranquility of the soul which is the goal of ancient skeptics

Philosophy Notes.pdf
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