Philosophical Concepts and Cultural Ideas

A collection of vocabulary flashcards covering key philosophical concepts and cultural ideas.

Eternal recurrence

The idea that one should be willing to live their life over and over again exactly the same, without regret.

Modern view of happiness

The belief in modern Western society that happiness is a right and an expectation, rather than something only hoped for.

Kintsugi

The Japanese art of repairing broken pottery using gold and other precious materials.

Tyranny of the majority

A phrase used by John Stuart Mill to describe the pressure and punishment of minority opinions by the majority in society.

Ideological language

Language that is reduced to slogans and propaganda, which degrades the imagination and freedom according to Azar Nafisi.

Finnish perspective on happiness

The view that happiness is defined as quiet contentment and life satisfaction rather than constant emotional excitement.

Dylan Thomas

The Welsh poet known for the poem 'Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night,' addressed to his dying father.

Carmen

The ballet that was banned by Soviet authorities in 1975 due to its morally and politically subversive qualities.

Confucius' view on vinegar

Confucius believed the vinegar tasted sour because the world was full of awful people, indicating a lack of harmony.

Revaluation of all values

Nietzsche's idea that the collapse of traditional morality opens the way for individuals to create their own values.

Good life in isolation

The view held by Aristotle that human beings cannot live a good life in isolation, outside of a political community.

Live Not by Lies

The idea by Alexander Solzhenitsyn that one should refuse to support untruths publicly.

God's changelessness

Leszek Kolakowski's argument that if God is perfectly unchanging, then He cannot experience emotions like happiness.

Freedom in mind and soul

Richard Lovelace's declaration in 'To Althea From Prison' that he is free in his mental and emotional state.

Piety and respect

Confucius' teaching that we should cultivate these qualities towards our parents and ancestors.

Head fake

The term used by Randy Pausch to describe the indirect lessons learned while pursuing other goals.

Tea ceremony architecture

Sen No Rikyu's design of small, low doorways in tea ceremony buildings to instill humility.

Epicureanism

The idea of simple, natural pleasures advocated by Epicurus, contrasting with the modern definition that emphasizes luxury.

A Valediction: Forbidden Mourning

The poem by John Donne that expresses a love that transcends physical separation.

Religion and Happiness correlation

The correlation between regular active participation in a religious community and reported happiness versus the religiously unaffiliated.

Childlike poetry

Matsuo Basho's aspiration for his poetry to sound simple and natural, akin to that of a child.

Moment of conscious revolt

Albert Camus' phrase for the moment when Sisyphus recognizes his fate yet chooses to continue his struggle.

Censorship of unpopular opinions

Mill's arguments against censoring such opinions, citing that they may contain partial truth or contribute to the debate that keeps truth alive.