Philosphy Final

What are valid/sound arguments?

if the premises are true, the conclusion must also be true. Sound arguments are valid arguments with true premises.

What is begging the question?

a logical fallacy where the conclusion is included in the premises, essentially assuming what it is trying to prove.

What is an argument from analogy?

draws a comparison between two similar situations to infer that what is true in one case is also true in the other.

What is inductive reasoning?

involves drawing general conclusions from specific observations, such as predicting the sun will rise tomorrow based on past occurrences.

What is skepticism in philosophy?

the philosophical attitude of doubting the knowledge claims set forth in various areas, questioning the validity of beliefs.

What is the Problem of Induction?

questions the justification of inductive reasoning, particularly the assumption that the future will resemble the past.

What is the Drowning Child Argument?

posits that it is morally wrong to allow a child to drown when one can save them, suggesting a moral obligation to donate to aid agencies.

What is the Euthyphro Dilemma?

questions whether something is good because God commands it or if God commands it because it is good, challenging Divine Command Theory.

What is the Autonomy of Value?

asserts that no description alone implies an evaluation, highlighting the distinction between factual statements and moral judgments.

What is Utilitarianism?

the ethical theory that suggests we should act to maximize pleasure and minimize pain for the greatest number of people.

What does Kant's Formula of Humanity state?

states that we should treat humanity as an end in itself and never merely as a means to an end.

What is compatibilism?

the belief that free will and determinism are compatible, suggesting that individuals can be held responsible for their actions even in a deterministic framework.

What is the significance of Socrates's Argument regarding death?

posits that death is not bad for us, as it is either a state of non-existence or a transition to an afterlife, both of which do not entail suffering.

What is Epicurus's view on death?

argues that death cannot be bad for us because we cannot experience it, and therefore it cannot be a source of suffering.

What is the Causal Closure Argument?

Argument states that if every physical event has a physical cause, then non-physical causes (like the mind) cannot exist.

What is the distinction between objective and subjective values?

Objective values are independent of individual beliefs, while subjective values depend on personal perspectives and feelings.

What is the role of analogy in arguments?

serves to illustrate similarities between different situations, helping to clarify or support a point being made.

What is the significance of the Restaurant Case in philosophical discussions?

illustrates arguments about disagreement and the implications of differing moral perspectives.

What is the implication of the statement 'Everything that matters will one day end'?

This statement reflects on the impermanence of life and the philosophical implications regarding meaning and value.

What is the argument for free will in the context of determinism?

The argument states that if determinism is true, then all actions are predetermined, raising questions about moral responsibility.

What does the term 'moral relativism' refer to?

is the view that moral judgments are not absolute but are shaped by cultural, social, or personal contexts.

What is the significance of the phrase 'the mind is physical' in philosophical discussions?

This phrase suggests that mental states and processes can be fully explained in terms of physical states and processes.

What does the term 'meaning subjectivism' imply?

suggests that the meaning of life is determined by individual feelings and perceptions of fulfillment.

What is the argument against Divine Command Theory presented in the Euthyphro Dilemma?

The argument suggests that if morality is based solely on God's commands, then it becomes arbitrary, as God could command anything.

What is the hybrid view of meaning proposed by Wolf?

suggests that a meaningful life combines activities with objective value and personal passion.

What is Mill's argument for free speech?

You'll benefit from hearing the side of those you disagree with.

What are the premises of Mill's argument for free speech?

P1: Either they're right or they're wrong. P2: If they're right, you'll benefit from hearing their side. P3: If they're wrong, you'll benefit from hearing their side.

What is Moore's 'Here's a hand' argument?

P1: Here is a hand. P2: If this is a hand, then I'm not playing Roy. Conclusion: I'm not playing Roy.

What is induction?

a method of reasoning that involves drawing general conclusions from specific observations.

What is an example of induction?

Inferring that the sun will rise tomorrow based on past occurrences.

What is wrong with induction according to Hume?

You can't justify induction using induction or just by thinking about it.

What is the conclusion of the Problem of Induction?

You can't justify induction.

What is the Argument from Analogy regarding the universe?

The existence of the universe could be explained by identifying the cause of each of its events.

What is the Fine-Tuning Argument for God?

It's likely that God created the universe.

What is the Problem of Evil?

If God exists, God is all-powerful, all-knowing, and all-good, yet pointless suffering and evil exist.

What is the conclusion of the Problem of Evil?

God doesn't exist.

What is a common response to the Problem of Evil?

Pointless suffering and evil exist.

What are some religious theodicies to the Problem of Evil?

Free-will, soul-making, human ignorance.

What is a tip for writing an essay on a philosophical argument?

Think about what your position is.

What should you consider when preparing an argument?

Work out one argument and consider one objection.

What should you name when considering an objection?

Name the premise it objects to.

What is a good strategy for replying to an objection?

Work out one reply.