Periods in the History of Ideas and Key Philosophers

Flashcards covering key periods in the history of philosophy, important philosophers, and their contributions to the concepts of God and existence.

Pre-Socratic period

A period in ancient Greek philosophy preceding Socrates, focusing on cosmological and metaphysical questions.

Classical period

A period in ancient history characterized by a great cultural achievement, particularly in arts and philosophy, associated with figures like Plato and Aristotle.

Hellenistic period

A historical period from the death of Alexander the Great to the emergence of the Roman Empire, notable for the spread of Greek culture.

Medieval philosophy

Philosophy from the fall of the Western Roman Empire to the Renaissance, often focused on reconciling faith and reason.

Renaissance

The revival of art and learning in Europe from the 14th to the 17th century, marking the end of the Middle Ages.

Anselm of Canterbury

An 11th-century philosopher known for formulating the Ontological Argument for God's existence.

Ontological Argument

An argument for God's existence based on the concept of being greater than which none can be conceived.

Aquinas's Five Ways

Arguments proposed by Thomas Aquinas to demonstrate the existence of God, using Aristotelian philosophy.

A posteriori argument

An argument that relies on empirical evidence and reasoning, contrasting with a priori arguments which rely solely on logic.

Argument from Motion

A proof arguing that everything in motion must be set in motion by something else, leading to a First Mover.

Cosmological Argument

An argument that asserts the existence of God based on the existence of the universe and the necessity of a cause outside it.

Gaunilo's Perfect Island

An analogy used to challenge the Ontological Argument by suggesting that one could conceive of a perfect island that does not exist.

The Fool

A term Gaunilo used to describe himself in his counterargument to Anselm, emphasizing the flaws in his logic.

Plato's Academy

An institution founded by Plato in ancient Athens, focusing on philosophical training and discourse.

Summa Theologica

A comprehensive theological work by Thomas Aquinas that discusses various questions regarding God and existence.

First Cause

The initial cause in the chain of causation, posited by Aquinas as necessary for the existence of anything.

Unmoved Mover

A concept in Aristotelian philosophy signifying an initial cause of motion that is itself uncaused.

Faith and Reason

The relationship between belief and rational thought that medieval philosophers sought to reconcile.