Philosophy 100 Midterm

Epistemology

The Study of Knowledge
How do we know what we know?
What is the distinction between truth and falsity?
Is there objective truth?

Value Theory

The Study of Goodness

Value Theory - Three Subdivisions

Ethics, Political Philosophy, and Aesthetics

Ethics

Moral goodness. What is a moral action? (Value Theory)

Political Philosophy

Justice as a value. What is a just social order? (Value Theory)

Aesthetics

Beauty as a value. Is beauty a quality in objects autonomous from the human mind? (Value Theory)

Metaphysics

The Study of Existence/Reality
What is the nature of things (micro/macro)?
Is there a God?
Are Humans free?

Logic

The Study of Correct Argumentation
What are the rules for rational argumentation?
How can you identify fallacious reasoning?

How to Read Philosophy (4 Steps)

1) Identifying types of philosophical claims
2) Distinguishing the parts of an argument
(premises and conclusions) and how they fit
together.
3) Identifying key concepts and significant
examples
4) Reading with a charitable lens/avoiding a straw
man

Argument (Definition)

an inference from a premise(s) to a conclusion

Argument (Example)

Socrates is a man. (Premise)

Ever man is mortal. (Premise)

Therefore, Socrates is mortal. (Conclusion)

Gramsci

• Spontaneous vs. Critical Philosophers

• Philosophers create new concepts/words or restructure a vague/undertheorized concept/word

Principle of Charity

Always give another person's argument the benefit of
the doubt, meaning the most rational interpretation
possible

Straw Man Fallacy

Creates a “cartoon” version of an argument

Plato

• Knowledge vs. Opinion

• Non-philosophers only care about particulars (things in the world)

• Particulars change so one can only hold opinions about them (opinions are an unstable understanding)

• Philosophers care about both particulars and universals (things that make particulars intelligible)

• You can know universals since they don’t change

Assumptions

The intellectual principles and values that an author assumes in their argument

Implications

Conclusions that would also follow if we do/do not agree with the argument

Allegory of the Cave

Aristotle

• 3 forms of friendship (utility, pleasure, and complete)

• good in itself vs. good for
  other ends (intrinsic vs. extrinsic goods)

• Complete friendship: Reciprocated goodwill, end is internal to relation, rare
  and slow, only possible for virtuous people

Friendship is…
Most necessary for life
A natural phenomenon
Any union that binds people together for a good

Montaigne

• Equality (not respect) (unlike family relation)
• Communication (secrets, critique)
• Free will (not obligatory)
• Gentle and calm attraction (unlike lovers)
• More exposure = more enjoyment (unlike lovers)
• Spiritual bond
• Gender-specific
• “Blending of souls” (only one friend)

Teleology

the study of ends or purposes

Eudaimonia

the condition of human flourishing or of living well

Sufficient vs. Necessary conditions

Sufficient Conditions: Enough to fulfill that goal

Necessary Conditions: You need this thing to fulfill the goal, but it may not be everything you need

A priori vs. a posteriori

A priori: Knowable independently of experience

A posteriori: Knowable on the basis of experience

Maslow

• Love as “eros”/passion

Maslow’s view of passion as the basis of full self-actualization:
• Comes after other needs are met; not automatic, requires metamotivation/needs
• Driven by a value system bigger and “outside oneself”; servant to higher ideals
• Eros as fulfilling “inner requiredness” that one belongs to/one can’t will it or serve it as duty – one is
meant for this purpose and the purpose is meant for oneself (calling or fundamental identity)
• Available to anyone but one must search and find this passion and reach this highest form of
selfhood through submission to it, not because of secondary or external factors

Fromm Argumentative Foils

1. Love is caused by ”being loveable”

2. Love is focused on finding an “object”, a commodity exchange in a market

3. Love is experienced as a sudden, intense emotion

Fromm’s Idea of Art

• Theory, practice, focus of ultimate
concern
• I.e., knowledge and effort
• The development of our capacity/faculty
(internal power)

Fromm’s Conditions of All Human Beings

• Transcend nature
• Have self-consciousness and separateness
• Human isolation causes shame, guilt, anxiety

Fromm’s Common Solutions to Human Isolation

1. Orgiastic States (Drugs, Alcohol, Sex)

2. Group Conformity

3. Creative Activity (Productive Work)

Fromm’s Mature vs Immature Unions

Mature: Preserves individual integrity/is an
expression of human freedom, taps into inherent powers of a person, gives one’s aliveness, produces love, requires character development, has care, responsibility, respect, knowledge

Immature: Symbiotic unions, Activity that is guided by others for external motivations, has dependency, narcissistic omnipotence, desire to exploit others or hoard

Fromm’s Symbiotic unions

Biological (mother/child) AND Psychological (masochistic, sadist)