History of Psych Exam 1

Pre-socratic Philosophy

Focuses on understanding nature, perception, and underlying ideals.

Plato's Creator

Plato posited a craftsman who fashioned the universe.

Idealism

Philosophical approach emphasizing the existence of ideal forms behind perceptible reality.

Aristotle

A student of Plato who founded the Lyceum and emphasized empirical observation.

Hylomorphism

Aristotle's theory that all objects are composed of matter and form.

Empiricism

The belief that knowledge arises from sensory experience, emphasized by Aristotle.

De Anima

Aristotle's work discussing the nature of the soul and its faculties.

Memory vs. Recollection

Memory is passive, while recollection is an active process in Aristotle's view.

Natural Philosophy

A term used by Aristotle to discuss the study of nature and the soul.

Four Bodily Humors

Blood, yellow bile, black bile, and phlegm; balance of these is crucial for health.

Stoicism

A philosophical school advocating acceptance of fate and self-control.

Epicureanism

A philosophy emphasizing pleasure and avoiding pain; a middle-ground lifestyle.

Scholasticism

A medieval intellectual system of thought integrating faith with reason.

Hippocratic Corpus

A collection of medical texts attributed to Hippocrates and his followers.

Nativism

The belief in inborn properties of the mind, as articulated by the philosophers after Socrates.

Rationalism

The philosophical belief in reason as the primary source of knowledge.

Platonic Idealism

Theory that non-material ideals serve as the foundation for material reality.

Allegory of the Cave

Plato's metaphor illustrating the difference between reality and perceptions of it.

Scale of Nature

Aristotle's hierarchical categorization of living organisms.

Natural Spirit

In Galen's theory, one of three types of pneuma essential for life and consciousness.

Rhazes

An Islamic physician who challenged traditional authorities and advocated diversions for melancholia.

Aurelius Augustine

A theologian who integrated Greek thought with Christian doctrines, exploring concepts like memory.

Baruch Spinoza

Philosopher advocating a monistic view of consciousness and nature.

Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz

Introduced monadology, proposing that individual units of existence move in harmony.

Hume's Skepticism

David Hume argued that our understanding of causality is rooted in habits of the mind.

Categorical Imperative

Kant's moral principle stating that one should act only according to maxims that can be universally applied.

Empiricism vs. Rationalism

Empiricism relies on sensory input for knowledge, while Rationalism emphasizes innate ideas.

William of Ockham

Advocated for simplicity in explanations, leading to 'Ockham's Razor' principle.

Joint-stock Companies

Organizational innovations creating opportunities for economic growth and trade during Renaissance.

Thomas Aquinas

Influential philosopher who reconciled faith and reason through extensive study of Aristotle.

Utilitarianism

Ethical theory that promotes actions that maximize happiness for the greatest number of people.

Malaise

Term used to describe a general feeling of discomfort or unease, often explored in psychological contexts.

Humanism

Philosophical approach emphasizing human value and agency, flourishing during the Renaissance.

The Inquisition

A church-led effort to root out heresy, employing investigation and often torture.

Luther's 97 Theses

Document challenging the Catholic Church practices, leading to the Protestant Reformation.

Descartes' Dualism

Philosophical theory positing the distinction between mind (immaterial) and body (material).

Jean-Jacques Rousseau

Philosopher who influenced various facets of modern thought, particularly in education and politics.

Skepticism

Philosophical approach questioning the possibility of certainty in knowledge.

Hume's Impression vs. Ideas

Hume distinguished between impressions (strong perceptions) and ideas (fainter images of impressions).

Circumstantial Evidence

Evidence derived from circumstances rather than direct proof, relevant in discussions of causality.

Psychological Hedonism

The theory that humans are motivated by the pursuit of pleasure and avoidance of pain.

Immanuel Kant

Philosopher proposing the synthesis of rationalism and empiricism, central in modern philosophy.

Mentalism vs. Behaviorism

Mentalism focuses on internal mental processes, while behaviorism emphasizes observable behaviors.

Psychology in the 17th Century

A period in which psychology began to distinguish itself as a field of study apart from philosophy.

Neoplatonism

Philosophical system influenced by Plato that emphasizes the existence of a single source from which all reality emanates.

Bacon's Idols

Four types of biases identified by Francis Bacon that impede human understanding: Tribe, Cave, Marketplace, Theatre.

Mind-Body Interaction

The philosophical discussion around how mental states can influence physical states and vice versa.

Utilitarian Calculus

The measure of the moral worth of an action based on its utility or overall benefit.

The Enlightenment

An intellectual movement emphasizing reason, individualism, and skepticism of tradition.

Social Contract

Political theory holding that individuals consent to form a government for mutual benefits.

Thomas Reid

Philosopher known for advocating common sense and foundational beliefs about perception and existence.

Rational Emotive Therapy

A form of cognitive-behavioral therapy focusing on altering irrational beliefs to improve emotional well-being.

Bentham's Panopticon

A theoretical prison design that allows observation of all inmates without them knowing whether they are being watched.

Scholastic Method

Approach of examining and reconciling various sources of knowledge, central to medieval philosophy.

Neuroscience and Psychology

The interplay between the biological underpinnings of behavior and psychological phenomena.

Dialogue and Socratic Method

An approach used by Socrates involving questioning and dialogue to stimulate critical thinking.

Free Will vs. Determinism

The debate regarding whether human actions are determined by external forces or if individuals can exercise control.

Materialism

Philosophical view that only material, physical entities truly exist.

Causality

The relationship between causes and effects; a central topic in both philosophy and psychology.

Meinong's Jungle

Philosophical discourse exploring entities that do not exist in reality but can still be meaningfully discussed.

Empirical Studies

Research based on observation or experiment rather than theory or pure logic.

Demonology

The study of demons and the supernatural, often associated with mental disorders and witch hunts.

Hippocratic Oath

An ethical code of practice attributed to Hippocrates, guiding medical professionals.

Galileo's Discoveries

Refinement of the telescope leading to significant advancements in astronomy and challenges to geocentric views.

Cogito, ergo sum

The philosophical statement by Descartes meaning 'I think, therefore I am', central to his epistemology.

Moderation in Ethics

Concept in ethical philosophy advocating for balanced approaches between extremes.

Rationalist Philosophers

Prominent thinkers like Descartes and Kant emphasizing the role of reason in understanding the world.

Hypatia of Alexandria

A prominent Neoplatonist philosopher and mathematician known for her contributions to science and education.

Malleus Maleficarum

A controversial text on witch hunts that influenced European views on demons and mental illness.