A-LEVEL RS Key Terms

a collection of key terminology for A-level Religious Studies with OCR exam board.

actuality

Aristotle’s idea for when something fulfils its potentiality. (an acorn becoming an oak tree)

analogy of the cave

a comparison Plato makes between our world and true reality. a story of a prisoner escaping from a cave

anamnesis

remembering a previous life/ existence

analytic

where the premises of the argument contain the conclusion (a bachelor is an unmarried man)

a priori

an argument not based on experience, but based on definitions

a posteriori

an argument based on experience, and can only be determined by observation

causation

the act of causing something; the relationship between cause and effect

cosmology

the study of the nature of the universe

correlation

a mutual relationship between two or more things

contingent existence

when the existence of a thing is dependent on something else

deductive argument

an argument where the conclusion is logically necessary (2+2=4)

Demiurge

a Platonic subordinate deity who fashions the physical world based on the Forms

dualism

the belief that reality can be divided into two distinct parts like the physical and non-physical

efficient cause

one of Aristotle’s 4 causes, the process by which something comes into existence. (the sculptor is the efficient cause of the statue)

epistemology

the study of knowledge

empiricism

based on sense experience

final cause

Aristotle’s concept of purpose/ teleos - why does a thing exist

immanent

often used to describe God as here with us, and involved with the universe

immutable

unchanging

inductive argument

type of argument where the conclusion is not logically necessary.

innate knowledge

knowledge we are born with. Plato says that we are born with knowledge of the Forms

infinite regression

a never ending change into the past

the Forms

Plato’s theory that everything on Earth is an inferior copy of the Forms. the Forms apply to material objects such as a chair as well as concepts like Justice.

Form of the Good

the highest of Plato’s Forms; it is the source of all knowledge in the way the sun is the source of all life

formal cause

one of Aristotle’s 4 causes, the characteristic and shape of a thing

logical fallacy

an error in thinking that weakens an argument

material cause

one of Aristotle’s 4 causes, what something is made of

materialism

the belief that the only existence are physical beings

metaphysical

that which is beyond the physical world and can be perceived by the senses

monism

the belief that there is no body/ soul distinction and the two are one entity

necessary existence

refers to a being whose existence depends on no other being

nihilism

a philosophy that rejects grand narratives, or fundamental aspects of human existence.

synthetic

where the premises do not contain the conclusion

Ockham’s Razor

a philosophical rule that says we should accept the simplest solution

premise

a statement that forms part of an argument and leads to a conclusion

Prime Mover

Aristotle’s idea of The Final Cause of the Universe, drawing everything towards itself by attraction. is not a creator and is not involved with the universe

proof

a statement cannot be false

probability

measuring the likelihood of something

rationalist

someone who thinks the primary sources of knowledge is reason

reason

using logical steps and thought processes to reach conclusions

scepticism

doubt/ the theory that certain knowledge is impossible

the Socratic method

the method of philosophical reasoning which involves critical reasoning. associated with Socrates

soul

the spiritual or immaterial part of a human being, suggested to be immortal

tautology

the saying of the same thing twice over in different words

sound argument

when the argument is logical and the premises are true

teleos

the end or purpose of something

transcendent

being beyond this world and outside the realms of ordinary experience

valid argument

when the argument is logical but the premises are not necessarily true

ontology

the philosophical study of being, and relates to topics like existence, becoming, and reality

ontological argument

an argument for the existence of God which draws on no sense experience but attempts to argue His existence from reflection of His definition alone.

predicate

the part of the sentence or clause that tells you what is said about the subject

reductio ad absurdum

a method of proving the falsity of a premise by showing that its logical consequence is absurd or contradictory