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Design Argument

An argument suggesting that the complexity of the universe implies an intelligent designer.

William Paley's watchmaker analogy

An analogy comparing the complexity of a watch to the complexity of the universe, suggesting both imply a designer.

Argument from complexity and order in nature

The notion that intricate mechanisms in nature indicate intentional design.

Cosmological Argument

An argument stating that everything that exists has a cause, leading to the necessity of a first cause.

St. Thomas Aquinas' Second Way

The assertion that everything in motion must have been set in motion by something else, leading to an unmoved mover (God).

Ontological Argument

An argument for God's existence based on the concept that God is 'that than which nothing greater can be conceived'.

Kant’s objection to the Ontological Argument

The critique that existence is not a predicate and defining something as existing does not ensure its existence.

Pascal’s Wager

A pragmatic argument suggesting it is rational to believe in God due to the potential eternal benefits outweighing finite losses.

Free will defense

The argument that evil exists because of human freedom.

Plato’s Cave

An allegory illustrating the difference between ignorance and enlightenment, where prisoners mistake shadows for reality.

Nozick’s Experience Machine

A thought experiment questioning whether one would choose a life of simulated pleasure over real experiences.

Cartesian Skepticism

A philosophical approach questioning how one can distinguish between dreaming and waking reality.

Turing Test

A test that determines if a machine can exhibit intelligent behavior indistinguishable from a human.

Functionalism

The view that the mind is what the brain does, analogous to software on hardware.

Searle’s Chinese Room Argument

A critique suggesting that following rules to manipulate symbols does not equate to understanding.

Memory theory of personal identity

The idea that personal identity persists through continuous links of memory.

Sisyphus (and Us)

A philosophical exploration of life's absurdity and the quest for meaning.

Death according to Nagel

Death is considered bad as it deprives us of life’s experiences.

Epicurean view on death

The perspective that death is not bad because we will not experience it.