Wmmw, Midterm

What is Plato's "The Republic" written as?

• Dialogues, not essays

• Features character "Socrates"

What is the Socratic Method?

• Dialogue-based questioning

• Goal: Provide definitions through critical thinking

Who does the freed prisoner represent in the historical interpretation?

Socrates

Who do the puppeteers represent in the sociopolitical-economic interpretation?

Government, wealthy/corporations, media, educators, religious leaders, monarchy

What do the shadows on the wall represent?

Ideologies and information consumed

What does the free person do to help the prisoner in the cave?

Inspires personal thought using the Socratic Method

What are Forms according to Plato?

Abstract, eternal, unchanging, singular, ideal

What are the two types of Forms?

• Lower Forms: Terrestrial objects

• Higher Forms: Beauty, justice, goodness

What is Plato’s criticism of art?

• Art is an imperfect copy of an imperfect copy

• Moves us away from the Forms

• Evokes emotion and prevents critical thinking

• Artists pretend to have knowledge

What are the three classes in Plato’s ideal society (Kallipolis)?

• Guardians (leaders, teachers)

• Auxiliaries (police, soldiers)

• Socio-economic class (laborers, artists)

What is the Noble Lie (Myth of the Metals)?

• Guardians: Gold

• Auxiliaries: Silver

• Socio-economic class: Brass/Iron

How does Plato rank government systems?

• Timocracy (ruled by glory)

• Oligarchy (ruled by wealth)

• Democracy (ruled by the unqualified)

• Tyranny (ruled by the worst)

What are the three parts of the mind?

• Rational (wisdom)

• Spirited (courage)

• Appetitive (moderation)

What is individual justice according to Plato?

Achieving balance between the three parts of the soul

How does Aristotle differ from Plato regarding Forms?

• Aristotle: Forms are material and observable

• Plato: Forms are abstract and reason-based

What are Aristotle’s Four Causes?

• Material (what something is made of)

• Formal (its shape/structure)

• Efficient (who/how it is made)

• Final (its purpose)

How does Aristotle apply the Four Causes to a coconut tree?

• Material: Chemical components

• Formal: Tree structure

• Efficient: Seed from parent tree

• Final: Reproduction (natural), food (human use)

What are Aristotle’s two types of virtues?

• Intellectual virtues

• Character virtues

Name five intellectual virtues.

• Philosophical wisdom

• Practical wisdom

• Scientific knowledge

• Artistic/technical knowledge

• Intuitive reasoning

What is Aristotle’s view on achieving eudaimonia?

• Requires intellectual and character virtues

• Also needs bodily goods and external goods

What is Nominalism?

• Denies the existence of universal kinds/types

• Our mind creates classifications

What is Empiricism according to Epicurus?

Experience is infallible, mistakes come from judgmen

What is Epicurus’ view on gods?

They exist but do not intervene in human affairs

What are the four principles of Tetrapharmakos?

• Don’t fear the gods

• Don’t worry about death

• What is good is easy to attain

• What is terrible is easy to endure

How does Epicurus define Hedonism?

Pursuit of pleasure and avoidance of pain

What are kinetic vs. static pleasures?

• Kinetic: Short-term pleasures (e.g., eating, compliments)

• Static: Long-term pleasures (e.g., good health, financial security)

What is ataraxia?

Peace of mind by keeping necessary desires simple and avoiding unnatural desires

Who founded Stoicism?

Zeno of Citium

What are the four steps to achieving knowledge?

• Impression (perception)

• Assent (choosing belief)

• Cognitive experience (evaluating evidence)

• Knowledge (true justified belief)

What are the four Stoic virtues?

• Wisdom

• Temperance

• Justice

• Courage

What is Stoic determinism?

Everything happens due to necessary causes, no randomness

How do Stoics view happiness?

Controlling expectations and detaching from emotions

What is Descartes' famous statement?

"I think, therefore I am" (Cogito ergo sum)

What are the three foundations of belief?

• Perception

• Reason

• Faith

What is direct vs. indirect realism?

• Direct: No barrier between perception and reality

• Indirect: A mental representation exists between perception and reality

What is methodological skepticism?

Doubting all beliefs until reaching an indubitable truth

What is Cartesian dualism?

Mind and body are separate substances

What was Princess Elizabeth of Bohemia’s objection to dualism?

If the mind is non-physical, how does it interact with the body?

How did Descartes respond?

Mind and body interact via the pineal gland

What is Hobbes' view on human nature?

People are naturally equal and selfish

What are the three causes of conflict in the state of nature?

• Competition

• Distrust

• Glory

What is the Leviathan?

The powerful sovereign needed to prevent chaos

What is Hobbes’ view on social contracts?

People trade freedom for security under a strong ruler

What are Hobbes' three types of power?

• Wealth

• Knowledge

• Honor