Philosophy Unit One

Who was Karl Marx?

A philosopher who believed material and economic conditions

shape society; supported socialism and equality.

Who was John Stuart Mill?

A utilitarian philosopher who believed actions are right if they

produce the greatest happiness for the greatest number of people, emphasizing individual liberty and social progress.

What is affirmative proposition?

A statement that includes the subject in the predicate (e.g., 'All dogs are mammals').

What is negative proposition?

A statement that excludes the subject from the predicate (e.g.,' No birds are reptiles').

What is a deductive argument?

An argument where true premises guarantee a true conclusion.

What is an inductive argument?

An argument that moves from specific examples to a probable general conclusion.

What is an abductive argument?

An argument that gives the best possible explanation for an observation.

What is a fallacy?

A flaw in reasoning that weakens an argument.

What is the “Brain in a Vat” thought experiment?

A scenario questioning how we know reality is real, not simulated.

What is the “Ship of Theseus” Paradox?

A thought experiment about whether something remains the same after all its parts are replaced.

What is metaphysics?

The branch of philosophy that studies existence and reality.

What is epistemology?

The study of knowledge and how we know what is true.

What is ethics?

The study of moral principles and right or wrong actions.

What is logic?

The study of correct reasoning and argument structure.

Who should rule according to Plato’s Republic?

Philosopher-kings guided by reason and wisdom.

What are Plato’s Forms?

Perfect, eternal, and unchanging ideas of which the physical world is an imperfect copy.

How does the Theory of Forms relate to the self?

The rational soul seeks knowledge of the Forms, aligning the self with truth and goodness.

What is idealism?

The belief that reality is based on ideas or the mind.

What is materialism?

The belief that reality is physical and based on matter.

Which philosopher represents idealism?

Plato

Which philosopher represents materialism?

Karl Marx.

Name the four parts of logical arguments.

Subject term, predicate term, middle term, and

quantifier/copula.

What are quantifiers in logic?

Words like 'all' or 'some' that show the quantity of a statement.

How can you identify a deductive argument?

Look for universals ('all', 'none') and logical necessity.

How can you identify an Inductive argument?

It uses examples and probability words like 'likely' or 'probably'.

How can you identify an abductive argument?

It infers the best explanation for a situation.

What is Existentialism (Satre)

The belief that people create their own identity through choices

and actions.

What is the Narrative Self theory?

The idea that identity is formed through the personal stories we

tell about our lives.

What is the Catholic view of the self?

Humans are made in God's image with a unity of body and

soul.

What is Substance Dualism (Descartes)?

The self is made of two substances: mind (immaterial) and

body (material).

What is the No Self Theory (Buddhist)?

The self is an illusion; there is no permanent, unchanging self.

What is the Bundle Theory (Hume) ?

The self is a collection ('bundle') of perceptions, memories, and

experiences.

Difference between No Self and Bundle Theory?

No Self denies any permanent self; Bundle Theory allows a

temporary, connected identity.

What does “existence precedes essence” mean?

We are not born with a fixed nature; we define ourselves

through our choices.

What is the Trolley Problem?

A moral dilemma where one must choose between killing one

to save five or doing nothing.

What would a utilitarian do in the Trolley Problem?

Pull the lever to save the most people (maximize happiness).

What would a deontologist do in the Trolley Problem?

Refuse to act, because killing is morally wrong regardless of

outcome.

What is the Heap Paradox?

Adding one grain to a non-heap never makes a heap—shows

vagueness in definitions.

What lesson does the Heap Paradox teach?

That language and identity can be vague and

context-dependent.

How does the ship of Theseus relate to the self?

It questions how identity persists despite gradual change.

What does the Brain in a Vat test?

Whether knowledge and perception are reliable or could be

illusions.

How does the Heap Paradox connect to No Self Theory?

Both question the idea of fixed boundaries—self is fluid.

How does the Ship of Theseus connect to Bundle Theory?

Both suggest continuity through gradual change.

How does Free Guy connect to Existentialism?

Guy creates his own identity by making free choices.

What do the sunglasses in Free Guy represent?

Awareness or enlightenment—seeing the truth about reality.

What are the 5 steps to writing a philosophical answer?

Define terms, present both sides, reason, apply theory,

conclude.

What reasoning type fits moral arguments?

Deductive or abductive reasoning.

Why is open-mindedness important in philosophy?

It allows fair consideration of opposing viewpoints.

Subject Term

What is being discussed.

Predicate Term

What is being claimed about it.

Middle Term

Connects subject and predicate.

Syllogism

An argument that contains two premises and a conclusion

Conclusion

The proposition that one is trying to prove.

Premises

Provide reasons for asserting that the conclusion is true.

Copula

A word that connects or relates the subject term to the predicate term.  In this it is “are”.

Major Term

the term that appears as the predicate of the conclusion.  It appears in one premise.

Minor Term

the term that is the subject of the conclusion.  It appears in one premise.

Teleological

• Each being has a specific end or purpose

Ergon

• each being has a specific function

Physicalism

• equates the real world with the physical world

Monism

• Belief that the most discrete or fundamental reality is singular

Pluralism

• Asserts that fundamental reality consists of many types of being