Philosophy of Happiness and Existence of God

These flashcards focus on key vocabulary terms and concepts discussed in the lecture on Aristotle's philosophy, the existence of God, and related philosophical arguments.

Human Happiness

The state of well-being achieved through performing one's unique function effectively, according to Aristotle.

Proper Function of Human Beings

The unique role of humans, identified by Aristotle as reasoning well.

Essence

The distinguishing characteristics or features that make something what it is; in humans, it refers to the ability to reason.

Efficient Causes

Causes that are responsible for bringing something into existence; Aristotle posits that there must be a first efficient cause, known as God.

Vacuum Fluctuation

A phenomenon where tiny particles can emerge from nothing without a cause.

Paley's Watchmaker Argument

The analogy that suggests just as a watch indicates a designer, so too does the universe point to a creator.

Supernatural Origin of Miracles

The belief that miracles are divine acts; questioned by suggesting that they could be performed through natural abilities.

Ontological Argument

The argument that defines God as the greatest possible being, asserting that such a being must exist in reality.

Descartes' Version of the Ontological Argument

The assertion that since existence is a perfection and God possesses all perfections, God must exist.

Problem of Evil

The philosophical question regarding why evil exists if an all-knowing, all-good, and all-powerful God exists.

Unnecessary Evil

Evil that occurs without a justification for a greater good or to prevent greater evil, which challenges the existence of God.