Philosophy Lecture Notes: Critical Thinking, Truth Theories, Existentialism, and Metaphysics

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms from critical thinking, theories of truth, existentialism, and major metaphysical concepts as presented in the notes.

Critical thinking

The disciplined process of analyzing and evaluating information to form a holistic understanding.

Analysis

Breaking down concepts into smaller parts to examine their structure and meaning.

Evaluation

Assessing value, quality, or significance; judging evidence or arguments.

Argumentation

Supporting convictions with reasons and evidence to draw conclusions.

Correspondence Theory of Truth

Truth consists in a relation between a belief/proposition and facts in reality.

Minimalist Correspondence Theory

A version that focuses on the linguistic representation of facts as the basis for truth.

Russell’s View on Correspondence

Truth is a relation between propositions and facts.

Coherence Theory

Truth is determined by the internal coherence of a web of beliefs within a system.

Fact

A statement that corresponds to reality or actual state of affairs.

Opinion

A belief or judgment based on personal taste or perspective, not necessarily fact-based.

Existentialism

A movement emphasizing human existence, freedom, and the search for meaning, with focus on subjectivity.

Existence

The state of being; central concern of existentialist thought.

Dasein

Heidegger’s term for human being—being-there, existing in the world.

Esse est co-esse

To exist is to coexist; existence involves participation in Being with others (and God) through love and fidelity.

Existence precedes essence

Sartre’s claim that humans first exist and then define their own essence through choices.

Authentic existence

Existence characterized by personal commitment, responsibility, and genuine engagement with values.

Inauthentic existence

Existence dominated by external pressures or the crowd, lacking personal, responsible choice.

World of Ideas

Plato’s realm of perfect forms, located outside the material world.

World of Matter

Plato’s material realm; imperfect copies of the perfect forms.

Tripartite Soul

Plato’s division of the soul into appetite, spiritedness, and reason.

Aristotle’s Hylomorphism

The view that things are composed of matter (hyle) and form (morphe); form gives essence and function.

Potentiality

The capacity or possibility for a thing to develop into its actual state.

Actuality

The realized state or current being of a thing.

Entelechy

The inner impulse driving something toward its proper end or goal within the natural order.

Res Cogitans

Descartes’ thinking substance—the mind; immaterial, non-spatial.

Res Extensa

Descartes’ extended substance—the body; material, spatial.

Cartesian Dualism

The view that mind and body are two distinct substances (mind vs. matter).

Radical Doubt

Doubting everything—even on weak grounds—until one finds an undoubtable proposition.

I think, therefore I am

Descartes’ cogito; the foundational assertion of self-awareness and thought.

Embodied Spirit

Gabriel Marcel’s view that body and spirit are inseparable; experience is through the body, which mediates with others.

Being-in-the-world

Heidegger’s concept of existing as an inseparable part of the world and its everyday projects.

Intersubjectivity

The mutual, embodied relation between self and others through shared experience.