Philosophy 1000 WSU 3.10.2

Cartesian Coordinates

A coordinate system that specifies each point uniquely in a plane by a pair of numerical coordinates, which are the signed distances from two fixed perpendicular directed lines.

Materialism

The philosophical position that everything that exists is either made of matter or is dependent on matter for existence.

Ontology

The branch of metaphysics dealing with the nature of being or existence.

Dualism

The theory that the mind and body are fundamentally distinct kinds of substances or realities.

Empiricism

The theory that all knowledge originates from sensory experience.

Archimedean Point

A foundational point or principle from which one can logically deduce conclusions.

Cartesian Doubt

A systematic process of being skeptical about the truth of one's beliefs, famously initiated by René Descartes.

Reductio ad Absurdum

A form of argument which seeks to demonstrate that a statement is true by showing that a false outcome results from its denial.

Veil of Perception

The philosophical concept that suggests human perception is a barrier to understanding the real world.

Evil Demon

A thought experiment devised by Descartes to illustrate the idea of extreme doubt, where a powerful deceiver could manipulate one's perceptions.