Introduction to Metaphysics and To Arguments Flashcards

Vocabulary terms covering the fundamental concepts of metaphysics, Aristotle's four causes, and the structural components of philosophical arguments.

Metaphysics

The study of existence and reality, often involving questions about being and the first cause or principle.

Materialism

A major school of thought in metaphysics holding that being is made of material components; associated with philosophers like Thales and Heraclitus.

Idealism

A major school of thought in metaphysics holding that being is made of something idealistic or spiritual; associated with philosophers like Pythagoras and Plato.

Objective idealism

A form of idealism which holds that reality exists independent of human consciousness and experience.

Subjective idealism

A form of idealism which holds that reality exists only insofar as it is created, understood, or experienced by the human mind and God’s mind.

Monism

A metaphysical answer regarding the number of beings which views being as consisting of one principle and basis for reality, such as Spinoza’s God/Nature.

Dualism

A metaphysical answer regarding the number of beings which views being as based in two fundamental categories: mind (which thinks) and body (which has extension); associated with Descartes.

Pluralist philosophers

Philosophers who believe there are many beings, such as Plato (infinite ideas) or Democritus (infinite atoms).

Material cause

One of Aristotle's four causes; refers to what a thing comes from in terms of its constitution or the substances involved.

Formal cause

One of Aristotle's four causes; refers to the blueprint, model, plan, or essential nature of the thing being produced, including its potential and potency.

Efficient cause

One of Aristotle's four causes; the person or event that makes the thing happen because it has efficacy.

Final cause

One of Aristotle's four causes; the telos, goal, or purpose of a thing.

Prime mover

Aristotle's concept of a metaphysical necessity that accounts for existence and purpose; unlike the Christian God, it did not create the universe, has no concern for humans, and has contemplation as its ultimate goal.

Argument

A collection of statements or claims where one statement is the conclusion and the others are premises intended to support it.

Conclusion

The statement in an argument whose truth or acceptability the argument tries to establish.

Premises

Statements in an argument intended to support the conclusion or convince the audience that the conclusion is true or acceptable.

Argument dissection

A crucial step in the process of 'thinking for yourself' that involves analyzing and evaluating valid reasons for opinions.