Introduction to Philosophy: Justification, Basic Beliefs, and Concept Analysis

A set of question-and-answer flashcards covering the key concepts from the lecture: justification, critical reflection, basic beliefs, basicality levels, concept analysis, and their illustration through examples.

What is meant by the “justification” of a belief in philosophy?

A reason to accept the belief as true; a rational ground for thinking the belief is true.

Why do philosophers critically reflect on the justification of beliefs?

To reach the truth by examining whether the reasons offered for a belief are actually good reasons.

On whose beliefs does philosophy primarily focus?

Human beliefs—especially their most basic or foundational forms, not those of animals.

What is a basic belief?

A belief on which the truth of at least one other belief logically depends.

What are two alternative names for a basic belief?

Fundamental belief or foundational belief.

What is a relatively basic belief?

A belief that is more basic than at least one other belief but not necessarily more basic than all other beliefs.

What is an absolutely basic belief?

A belief that is more basic than all other beliefs.

Why must the belief “Joe has a house” be true for “Joe is having a party at his house this weekend” to be true?

Because if Joe does not have a house, it is logically impossible for him to have a party at his house.

Which belief is more basic than both “Joe has a house” and “Joe is having a party at his house this weekend”?

"Joe exists."

What even more basic belief underlies the belief that “Joe exists”?

"At least one thing exists."

What does “plunging the depths of basicality” mean in philosophy?

Tracing beliefs back to ever more fundamental beliefs to understand their logical foundations.

How does philosophy differ from ordinary arithmetic in mathematics regarding foundational questions?

Philosophy questions foundational assumptions (e.g., whether numbers exist independently), whereas arithmetic takes such assumptions for granted.

What are the two main philosophical tasks highlighted in the lecture?

Justification of beliefs and analysis of concepts.

What is meant by the analysis of a concept?

The attempt to discern or clarify the meaning of an idea or way of thinking about something.

How is “critical reflection” defined in the lecture?

Strength- and weakness-seeking evaluation of reasons, beliefs, or objects.

Why can critical reflection be described as indirectly strength-seeking?

If no weaknesses are found during evaluation, the process reveals the strengths of the object or belief.

What is the difference between applied ethics and metaethics in terms of basicality?

Applied ethics deals with relatively basic beliefs about specific issues, while metaethics digs into the most fundamental ethical beliefs.

What possible outcome does the lecturer acknowledge even after deep philosophical inquiry?

We may discover that we cannot reach the ultimate truth of a matter.

What are "concepts" according to the lecture?

Ideas or ways of thinking about things.

Why is asking “Do numbers actually exist independently of our minds?” a philosophical question?

Because it examines a foundational assumption underlying mathematics, illustrating philosophy's concern with basic beliefs.