Philosophy

Know what the philosophical method is

something one learns to do

Know what two things philosophy is

learning how to relate materials and how to double-check factual claims

Know what Socrates said about the unexamined life

For man, the unexamined life is not worth living.

Know philosophy’ theoretical benefit

understanding for understandings sake

Know the 4 main areas of philosophy

Metaphysics - study of reality, Epistemology - study of knowledge, Axiology - study of value, Logic - study of correct reasoning

Know what Socrates said was the greatest harm to the soul

remain ignorant through lack of knowledge 

Know which of Socrates’ students wrote about him:

Plato

Know what the Socratic method is and the procedure

question and answer dialogue, uncover the truth 

Know why Socrates was arrested and convicted

corrupting city’s youth, showing disrespect to gods

who didn't believe in gods of Athenians

Socrates

Know the 2 works Socrates’ student wrote about him

apology and Crito

Know how an argument differs from persuasion

argument provides reason, persuasion doesn’t involve reasons

Know the 2 things good arguments must have

solid logic and true premises 

Know the difference between deductive/inductive arguments

D - logical conclusion and I - probable support 

Know the difference between truth/validity

Valid = premises are true, conclusion must be true

Truth = statements match reality

Know the different argument forms

Modus Ponens

Know the different argument symbolization (If “P”, then “Q”, etc.) and what they are called (“affirming the consequent”, etc.):

Tollens

Know the different fallacies and what they mean

Equivocation = two meaning, same word

Appeal to ignorance = true because hasn't been proven and false because hasn’t been proven true

False dilemma = only two options, one has to be true and other is wrong

Begging question = prove conclusion using same conclusion as support

Slipper slope = action must be avoided because it will lead to disaster

Division = what can be said of whole can be said of parts

Know the 5 obstacles to critical reasoning:

Denying contrary evidence

Confirmation bias

Motivated reasoning

Availability error

Dunning-kruger effect

Know the 5 different types of arguments for the existence of God

Cosmological is universe exits,

Teleological is to show God must exist because feature of universe show signs of purpose,

Ontological is attempt to demonstrate God's existence by logical analysis,

Religious Experience states that a person has to experience God,

Evil attempts to show there unnecessary evil all-good God must not exists

Know the 2 main categories for the existence of God

Evidence of Experience & Appealing to logic Relations

Know the work written by St. Thomas Aquinas in which he presents his “proofs” of God’s existence

Summa Theologica

Be familiar with the Argument from Motion

everything has a cause, nothing causes itself, no infinite cause, first cause exists which we call God

Know how David Hume critiques Aquinas’ arguments

universe has no beginning, is eternal, no first cause is necessary

Know the Kalam argument and the philosopher who defends it

Big Bang and William Lane Craig defends it

Be familiar with the teleological (design) argument

world showing signs of purposeful design, so there must be an intelligent God who created it

Know how William Paley argued God’s existence

analogy of a watch, parts put together for a purpose, intelligent designer

Be familiar with how David Hume critiques Paley

says analogy of comparison is too weak because of similarities and dissimilarities 

Know St. Anselm’s Ontological Argument

 believed logic could be used to prove gods existence 

Know Anselm’s 2 assumptions for his argument

 God's definition is greatest possible being, so god must exist, because if he didn’t exist, he wouldn’t be the greatest being

Know the difference between moral and natural evil

moral evil comes from human choices/actions and bad things resulting from them.  Natural evil results from workings of nature

Be familiar with the Free Will Defense

god allows evil because it results from humans free will

Be familiar with John Hick’s “Soul-Making” defense

argues that suffering because of free will is necessary and it allows growth

Know the argument from religious experience

God can be sensed

Know Swinburne’s principle of credulity

 justifying such experiences as revealing God’s presence, reliability of one claiming. 

Be familiar with William James’ and W.K.Clifford’s views

James believes, believing divine reality is an option, Clifford says it’s wrong to believe anything without evidence

Know the 4-step process of Pascal’s “Wager”

 believe + God exists = Infinite Happiness

Believe + God doesn’t exist = lose nothing

Don’t believe + God exists = lose infinite happiness

Don’t believe + God doesn’t exist = lose nothing 

Know the difference in thought between Western and Eastern religious philosophies

west = reason is important in deafending religious doctrines East = philosophical systems explore depths of physical and spiritual reality

Be familiar with Buddhism’s salvation concept

own efforts of self discipline, self transformation, not thru faith in God

Know the 4 Noble Truths of the Buddha

Dukkha - suffering inherent in life, cause of suffering is desire, no end to desire & suffering, the noble eighthfold path

Know the Noble 8-Fold Path

 Right view, right intention, right speech, right action, right mean livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, right concentration

Be familiar with Hinduism’s belief in atman, karma, and Brahman

karma is a law of nature dictating people actions, Atman must come to a realization not apart from Brahman = not  a person and beyond the universe

Be familiar with the teachings of the Dao-de-Jing

improving harmony in life, actionless action

Know the 4 main areas of Philosophy

Metaphysics - study of reality, Epistemology - study of knowledge, Axiology - study of value, Logic - study of correct reasoning