Studied by 4 people
note cards for exam 1 of philosophy 100
philosophy
the study of fundamental questions concerning existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language.
What are the main branches of philosophy?
Metaphysics,Epistemology,Ethics,Logic,axiology,aesthetics and ethics.
metaphysics
studies reality and the fundamental nature of the universe and the things in it.
epistomology
studies knowledge.
ethics
studies questions of right and wrong, good and bad, and how we should act.
aesthetics
studies art and beauty.
logic
studies the nature of arguments and correct reasoning.
axiology
the study of value, including both aesthetic value and moral value.
argument
a set of statements where the premises support the conclusion.
Premises
a statement or proposition that provides support or evidence for a conclusion.
conclusion
the statement that the premises aim to prove.
Deductive arguments
If premises are true, the conclusion must be true.
Inductive arguments
If premises are true, the conclusion is likely but not certain.
Validity
An argument is valid if the conclusion logically follows from the premises.
Soundness
An argument is sound if it is valid and the premises are true.
Strong
An inductive argument where the premises make the conclusion highly probable.
Cogent
A strong inductive argument with true premises.
Fallacy
An error in reasoning that weakens an argument.
Ad hominem
Attacking the person making an argument rather than addressing the argument itself.
the standard way of thinking about Time
often seen as continuous and linear.
Shoemaker’s Time Argument
Shoemaker's Time Argument discusses the possibility of time freezing in certain regions and how this challenges our perception of time.
the Grandfather Paradox
A paradox in time travel where altering the past (e.g., preventing one's grandfather from meeting their grandmother) would prevent the time traveler’s existence, making time travel logically problematic.
Multiverse
The idea that multiple, possibly infinite, universes exist.
Possible Worlds
Different ways reality could have been, used in modal logic and philosophy.
Zhuangzi’s Butterfly
questions whether we can truly distinguish between dreams and reality.
Plato’s Allegory of the Cave
prisoners in a cave who see only shadows and believe them to be reality.
Simulation Hypothesis
The idea that reality might be a computer simulation.
Bostrom’s Simulation Argument
Suggests that if civilizations can create realistic simulations, it is likely we are in one.
Propositional Knowledge
Knowing that something is the case (e.g., "The Earth orbits the Sun").
Procedural Knowledge
Knowing how to do something (e.g., riding a bike).
Justified True Belief (JTB)
A belief is knowledge if it is true and justified
Gettier cases
a situation where a belief is true and supported by evidence, but is not considered knowledge (the fake barn)
two attempts to overcome Gettier cases
No False Lemmas and Reliabilism
No False Lemmas
Ensures that knowledge is not based on false premises.
Reliabilism
Knowledge must come from a reliable method.
Skepticism
The philosophical view that knowledge is uncertain or impossible
Descartes’ stance on skepticism
Descartes doubted all beliefs to establish a foundation of certainty
Descartes’ three stages of doubt
illusion, dreaming and evil demon (evil genius)
Illusion
Senses can deceive us.
dreaming
There is no way to distinguish dreams from reality.
evil demon (evil genius)
An evil deceiver might be controlling perceptions.
error-proof knowledge that removes Descartes’ doubt
(“I think, therefore I am”) – Descartes concluded that the act of thinking proves his existence.
Cogito, ergo sum
“I think, therefore I am”
How all doubt is finally overcome
By proving God’s existence and that God is not a deceiver
rationalism
Knowledge comes primarily from reason rather than experience.
arguments that support rationalism
innate knowledge of the Forms (Plato) and knowledge is derived from reason (desacartes)
empiricism
Knowledge comes primarily from sensory experience.
arguments that support empiricism
The mind starts as a “blank slate” (tabula rasa), and all knowledge comes from experience. (Locke)
Reality consists only of perceptions; objects exist as long as they are perceived. (Berkeley)
Knowledge is limited to experience; causality is inferred but not directly known. (Berkeley)
