PHI1010 Final exam Study guide

Fuck Philosophy

6 main branches of philosophy

metaphysics, epistemology, ethics, logic, political philosophy, aesthetics

Parts of an argument

premises and conclusion

deductive argument

an argument that is intended to guarantee the truth of the conclusion

inductive argument

an argument that is supposed to offer probable support to its conclusion

Valid argument

a deductive argument that provides logically conclusive support for its conclusion

Invalid argument

A deductive argument that fails to provide conclusive support for its conclusion.

Sound argument

a deductive argument that is valid and has all true premises

Unsound argument

a deductive argument that is invalid, has one or more false premises, or both

Strong inductive argument

an inductive argument in which it is improbable that the conclusion be false given that the premises are true

Weak inductive argument

an argument in which the conclusion does not follow probably from the premises, even though it is claimed to

Cogent argument

an inductive argument that is strong and has all true premises

Uncogent argument

an inductive argument that is weak, has one or more false premises, fails to meet the total evidence requirement, or any combination of these

Three main arguments for the existence of God

Ontological argument, cosmological argument, teleological argument

David Hume's rebuttal of the teleological argument

1. the universe is not like a machine (not similar enough to compare)

2. the argument does not provide adequate grounds for belief in God (it could have been many deities)

Descartes' first item of knowledge

I think therefore I am

The problem of evil

How it is possible for there to be evil in a world created by an all-good, all-powerful, and all-knowing being.

Justified True Belief

To have knowledge, one must have a belief that is true and justified, or it is not known

Peter Unger on skepticism

Nothing is ever completely certain

Gettier Problem

JTB without knowledge; ex: luck of circumstance can play role.

Rationalism vs. Empiricism

Rationalism stresses using reason to arrive at truth, while empiricism stresses using experience to arrive at truth.

David Hume on knowledge and skepticism

Descartes Dualism

mind and matter/ non physical vs. tangible

mind-body problem

the issue of how the mind is related to the brain and body

Identity thesis

Mental events are brain states. Physical events occurring in physical objects

Materialism and physicalism

physical objects and properties are all that exist

Hard determinism

We do not have free will and what we do is categorically unavoidable

Soft determinism

Actions are caused, but that does not mean it is not free.

Indeterminism

There are no causes, everything is chaotic and random. Thus, our actions are not determined.

Libertarianism

Agents are free, and our actions are not constrained by the laws of the universe

Incompatibilism

Free will and determinism are incompatible

Compatibilism

compromise between free will and determinism that says the two can coexist

Thomas Nagel on moral luck

when we morally judge someone based on an action that is the result of factors beyond one's control

Satre on existentialism

We are brought into existence, then we determine the essence of being human

The primary branch of ethical theories

Consequentialist and nonconsequentialist

John Stuart Mill on Utilitarianism

actions are right if they tend to promote happiness/ greatest number of people

Immanuel Kant on Deontological Ethics

Says "ought means can" so we must live up to our moral obligation and our inclinations are what we should be judged by

hypothetical imperative

an imperative that tells us what we should do if we have certain desires

categorical imperative

an unconditional moral obligation that is binding in all circumstances and is not dependent on a person's inclination or purpose.

Aristotle and Virtue Ethics

Actions are judged by acting between two vices

Eudaimonia

happiness or flourishing/ not just existing but alive

Singer on animal rights

explained by Speciesism: Allowing the interests of a member of ones own species to override the interests of a member from another species, based on the mere fact that they are members of our own species.

Singer on famine

"If it is in our power to prevent something bad from happening, without thereby sacrificing anything of comparable moral importance, we ought, morally, to do it."

Rachels on killing vs letting die

one is not preferable to the other, but our human nature leads us to believe that killing is worse than letting die.