philosophy midterm

What is Fatalism?

The belief that whatever happens is predestined and unavoidable.

According to Aristotle, what are Form and Substance?

Form = specific characteristics within an object; Substance = what things are made of (material).

How does Plato view Form and Substance?

Forms are perfect, eternal, and exist separately; Substance is physical matter, an imperfect copy of Forms.

What do Empiricists believe about knowledge?

All knowledge comes from sensory experience.

What do Rationalists believe about knowledge?

Some knowledge is innate; we learn by reason, not just experience.

Who were the Sophists?

Traveling teachers who taught rhetoric and practical knowledge, skeptical about absolute truth.

What was the Sophists' view on morality?

Right and wrong depend on human perspectives; no universal moral truths.

What do Cynics believe about happiness?

True happiness is independent of material things and accessible to anyone.

Who was the famous Cynic known for living simply and challenging Alexander the Great?

Diogenes.

What is the Stoics' concept of “logos”?

Universal reason connecting all things.

What is Stoic natural law?

Universal, unchanging laws based on reason applying to all humans.

How do Stoics view fate and suffering?

Everything happens according to nature's laws; accept suffering calmly (“stoic calm”).

What is Idealism?

The belief that reality is fundamentally spiritual or mental, not physical.

What is Materialism?

The belief that everything, including thoughts and soul, is made of physical matter.

What is Humanism?

A view focusing on human value, dignity, reason, and moral worth.

What does Pantheism believe?

God is present in all nature; God and the universe are one.

What does Deism teach about God's role?

God created the world but does not intervene supernaturally; reveals Himself only through nature.

What is Dualism?

The belief that mind and body are two distinct substances that interact but exist independently.

Who is the famous dualist philosopher known for “I think, therefore I am”?

René Descartes.

What did Natural Philosophers believe about the origin of everything?

Something has always existed; nature is constantly changing; seek natural explanations.

What basic substance did Thales believe everything came from?

Water.

What was Anaximander’s “boundless” (apeiron)?

An infinite source from which many worlds arise and perish.

According to Anaximenes, what is the basic substance of everything?

Air, which condenses into water, earth, and fire.

What was St. Augustine's view on good and evil?

Evil is not created by God; it is the absence or corruption of good. God made all things good. Evil arises from human free will — when people turn away from God.

How did St. Augustine view history?

History is linear and purposeful — it starts with Creation and ends with the Last Judgment. It reflects a divine plan and the struggle between the City of God (spiritual) and the City of Man (earthly).

What did St. Augustine believe about Creation?

God created the world out of nothing (ex nihilo). Time itself was created by God. Creation is good, orderly, and intentional.

What is the Kingdom of God according to St. Augustine?

It’s a spiritual kingdom made up of those who follow God's will. It exists now through faith and eternally in heaven. It stands opposed to the sinful City of Man.

What is the Socratic Method of learning and teaching?

A method of asking and answering questions to spark critical thinking. Socrates believed truth comes from dialogue and self-discovery — not lectures.

What is the Acropolis?

A hill in Athens that was the religious and political center of ancient Greek life.

What is the Parthenon?

A temple on the Acropolis dedicated to Athena. It symbolizes Athens’ cultural and political achievements.

What was the central question of Medieval philosophy?

How can faith and reason be reconciled? Thinkers like Augustine and Aquinas tried to unite Christian belief with Greek philosophy.

Who was Europe’s first biologist?

Aristotle. He classified plants and animals through observation — an early form of empirical science.

What was the Oracle at Delphi?

A priestess of Apollo who gave prophetic answers. People asked her about the future. Above the temple was the phrase: “Know thyself.”

What did “Know thyself” mean to Socrates?

It was the core of his philosophy — true wisdom starts with self-awareness.

What was Plato’s view of reality?

Plato believed in a separate world of perfect Forms or Ideas. What we see are imperfect copies. True knowledge comes from reason and thinking, not the senses.

What was Aristotle’s view of reality?

Aristotle believed we should trust our senses and observe the world. Knowledge comes from studying nature and organizing what we experience.

How did Plato and Aristotle differ in their approach to knowledge?

Plato was a rationalist who believed in innate ideas and Forms beyond the physical world. Aristotle was an empiricist who believed knowledge comes from experience and observation.

What did Epicureans believe brought happiness?

Epicureans believed happiness comes from calm, friendship, avoiding fear and pain, and living simply. True pleasure is peace of mind (ataraxia).

What did Hedonists believe brought happiness?

Hedonists believed in seeking immediate pleasure through indulgence — food, drink, and fun — even if it caused pain later.

How do Epicureans and Hedonists differ?

Epicureans valued moderate, lasting pleasure and peace. Hedonists chased intense, short-term pleasures, often without concern for consequences.

What do Rationalists believe about knowledge?

Rationalists (like Plato and Descartes) believe knowledge comes from reason and thought, not experience. Truths can be known through logic alone.

What do Empiricists believe about knowledge?

Empiricists (like Aristotle, Locke, and Hume) believe all knowledge comes from sensory experience. The mind starts as a blank slate.