Lecture Notes Flashcards: Philosophy, Self-Help & Existentialism (VOCABULARY)

A curated set of vocabulary flashcards drawn from the lecture notes, covering key terms, authors, concepts, and philosophical ideas discussed in the material.

Bibliotherapy

A collection of philosophical texts used to guide the good life and personal development.

Epictetus

Stoic philosopher; emphasizes living by principles now, duty, and equanimity (The Art of Living, Enchiridion).

The Art of Living

Epictetus’ short writings on how to live well, focusing on virtue, duty, and mastery of responses.

Enchiridion

A handbook by Epictetus; advises on practical precepts like choosing precedents and following preeminent duties.

Ikigai

Reason for being; the purpose or meaning that gives life direction.

Seneca’s Six Pack

A collection of Seneca’s aphorisms about purpose, perseverance, and the good life.

Sisyphus (Myth of Sisyphus)

Camus’ absurd hero who finds meaning through conscious effort despite futile labor.

Existentialism is a Humanism (Sartre)

Philosophical defense of existentialism: existence precedes essence, radical freedom, and responsibility for all humanity.

Existence precedes essence

Key existentialist idea that individuals create themselves through choices before defining nature.

Socrates (Gadfly)

Socrates as a gadfly: a provocateur who stirs Athens to examine life and virtue.

Socrates’ Apology

Socrates’ defense against charges; argues for the examined life and the duty to virtue over popularity.

Allegory of the Cave

Plato’s image: education reform moves from shadows to the sun, symbolizing ascent to true knowledge.

Cave, Fire, Shadows, Sun

Elements in the Allegory of the Cave representing illusion (shadows) and enlightenment (sun).

Plato’s Symposium

Dialogue on love (Eros) exploring how love leads to wisdom and moral development.

Eros (Diotima’s view)

Love as a daimōn (mediator) between gods and humans, enabling beauty, fecundity, and wisdom.

Socrates & Eros

Socrates links love to philosophical ascent and the care of the soul through dialogue.

Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics

Ethics of virtue; the good is the final end pursued for itself (happiness) through virtuous activity.

Friendship (Aristotle)

Three types: friendship of utility, pleasure, and virtue (the highest, lasting when virtuous).

Marcus Aurelius

Stoic emperor; Meditations on duty, present action, and aligning with universal reason.

Meditations (Marcus Aurelius)

Personal reflections on virtue, self-control, and living in the present with purpose.

Hadot

Pierre Hadot: philosophy as a way of life; Stoic and Platonic spiritual exercises (prosoche).

Prosoche

Stoic practice of attention and mindfulness toward the present moment.

Philosophy as a Way of Life

Hadot’s framework: philosophy practiced as daily habits and spiritual exercises.

The Present Alone is Our Happiness

Hadot’s claim that focus on the present is the key to happiness and action.

Kairos

Opportune moment; the right timing or turning point in life or action.

Goethe’s Faust (present as eternity)

Idea that the present moment can be pregnant with meaning and be a bridge to eternity.

Symbol of the Present

Instant sacred as symbol of eternity; the present contains past and future in Goethean thought.

Alain de Botton – The Book of Life

Aims: explore friendship, love, self-knowledge, and modern life through essays and examples.

Five functions of friendship (Botton)

Networking, reassurance, fun, mind-clearing, holding on to the past.

Authenticity in Love (Beauvoir)

Authentic reciprocity where both partners recognize each other’s freedom and personhood.

Simone de Beauvoir & Authentic Love

Authentic love requires reciprocal freedom; non-reciprocal love is unhealthy or unjust.

Sartre’s Existentialism & Freedom

Freedom entails responsibility for oneself and for others; existence precedes essence.

Crito (Socrates)

Dialogic exploration of civic duty, conscience, and the correct way to live.

Hupomnemata

Personal notebooks or memory aids used to record readings, reflections, and life lessons.

Foucault – Self-Writing

Concept of writing as a method for forming the self and shaping discourse.

Pema Chodron – Pocket Pema Chodron

Practical Buddhist guidance on mindfulness, compassion, and dealing with anxiety.

Thich Nhat Hanh – Four Elements of True Love

Loving-kindness, compassion, joy, and equanimity as foundations of true love.

Metta Meditation

Loving-kindness meditation aimed at cultivating universal goodwill.

Confucius – Analects

Wisdom on virtue, ritual, leadership, and respectful conduct.

Epictetus – The Dichotomy of Control

Distinguishing between what is in our control (inner life) and what is not (external events).

The Secrets of Happiness (School of Life)

Practical advice for reducing anxiety and cultivating happiness.

Utilitarianism (Mill)

Greatest Happiness Principle: actions are right if they promote overall happiness; wrong if they don’t.

Self-Love (Botton & Hadot readings)

A constructive, compassionate relationship with oneself as a prerequisite to well-being.

Self-Identity & Emotional Identity

How we understand ourselves emotionally; includes self-love, candour, communication, trust.

Self-Examination & Review of Day (Seneca/Foucault)

Regular reflection on daily actions to cultivate virtue and self-improvement.

Self-Mastery (Enkrateia)

Control of one's passions and desires to live in accordance with reason and virtue.

Memento Mori

Remembrance of death to motivate living a meaningful life in the present.