Philosophical Foundations: From Pre-Socratics to Feminism

Metaphysics

Study of reality and existence's nature.

Thales

Proposed water as the universe's fundamental substance.

Heraclitus

Philosopher emphasizing change as a constant.

Logos

Governing principle that unifies existence.

Parmenides

Argued existence must be fixed and unchanging.

Socratic Method

Questioning technique to stimulate critical thinking.

Socrates

Philosopher shifting focus to ethics and thought.

Plato

Socrates' student, documented his teachings.

Xenophon

Another student who chronicled Socratic philosophy.

Corrupting the youth

Charge against Socrates for influencing young minds.

Hemlock poison

Socrates' method of execution after his trial.

The Academy

Plato's school, foundational for Western philosophy.

Forms

Plato's concept of ideal, unchanging realities.

Allegory of the Cave

Plato's metaphor for enlightenment and ignorance.

Ideal State

Plato's vision of a structured society with classes.

Rational class

Plato's ruling class, understanding ideas.

Spirited class

Plato's soldiers, defenders of the state.

Appetitative class

Plato's working class, fulfilling basic needs.

Peripatetics

Aristotle's students, named for walking discussions.

Teleologism

Aristotle's belief in purpose-driven existence.

Eudaimonia

Aristotle's concept of human flourishing or happiness.

Cynicism

Philosophy advocating virtue in accordance with nature.

Diogenes

Cynic philosopher valuing natural instincts over societal norms.

Self-sufficiency

Cynic ideal of independence and personal autonomy.

Cynicism

Philosophy emphasizing virtue and living according to nature.

Self-sufficiency

Independence from societal norms and material needs.

Cynic behavior

Public disruptions to oppose societal traditions.

Cosmological argument

Infers God's existence from universe causation facts.

Ontological argument

Proves God's existence through reason alone.

Avicenna's modes of existence

Impossible, contingent, and necessary existence types.

Contingent existence

Exists but depends on an external cause.

Necessary existence

Essence guarantees existence without external causes.

Scholasticism

Reconciliation of ancient philosophy with Christian theology.

St. Anselm

Founder of Scholasticism, known for God's proof.

Anselm's proof

God exists as the greatest conceivable being.

Aquinas' five proofs

Change, cause, contingency, perfection, and design arguments.

Change argument

Everything that changes is caused by prior events.

Cause argument

All effects trace back to prior causes.

Perfection argument

Degrees of perfection point to God as pinnacle.

Design argument

Nature's purpose implies a designer, identified as God.

Occam's Razor

Simplest explanation is likely the correct one.

William of Occam

Belief in God is based on faith, not reason.

Criticism of cosmological arguments

Self-contradictory if everything needs a cause.

Criticism of teleological arguments

Evolution provides an alternative to design explanations.

Epistemology

Study of knowledge and understanding how we know.

Rationalism

Knowledge derived primarily from reason.

Empiricism

Knowledge based on sensory experience.

Descartes' reluctance

Did not publish 'The World' due to concerns.

Heliocentric model

Sun-centered solar system proposed by Copernicus.

Corpuscularian cosmology

Theory explaining matter as composed of small particles.

Dream doubt

Difficulty distinguishing reality from dreams.

Cogito, ergo sum

Latin for 'I think, therefore I am'.

God's existence proof

Argument validating sensory evidence's reliability.

Perfect being concept

Idea that perfection must originate from God.

Hume's atheism

Belief preventing Hume from university positions.

Bundle theory

Hume's view of self as perception collection.

Relations of ideas

Truths verified by definitions alone.

Matters of fact

Truths based on sensory observations.

A priori knowledge

Knowledge gained through reason before experience.

A posteriori knowledge

Knowledge gained through experience after events.

Thing-in-itself

Reality independent of human perception.

Kant's epistemology

Knowledge synthesis of sensory data and reason.

Deontology

Ethical theory focused on duty and rules.

Kant's categorical imperative

Act only on universally applicable maxims.

Wollstonecraft's response to Burke

Critique of aristocratic privilege in revolution.

Wollstonecraft's women's rights

Advocacy against societal limitations on women.

Women's education importance

Key to achieving equality with men.

Feminism

Advocacy for gender equality and rights.

First Wave feminism

Focused on suffrage and legal rights.

Second Wave feminism

Addressed workplace equality and reproductive rights.

Third Wave feminism

Emphasizes diversity and challenges gender norms.