Vocab Test - HON171

The Human Freaking Event

Plurality

Zeno

Reality is made up of multiple, distinct, and divisible entities instead of one single whole.

Context: Parmenides argues that reality is a single whole, to which he gets made fun of about. Zeno points out that reality can also be interpreted as plurality, but then explains how that can have multiple contradictions as well.

Infinite in division

Zeno

A finite distance that can be split into smaller and smaller parts infinitely.

Context: Zeno argues that it’s impossible to traverse an infinite number of things in a finite time. Aristotle argues that while one cannot cross something that is infinitely long, one can cross a finite distance in infinite time due to having time to cross each individual part of the distance split.

The paradox of the arrow

Zeno

The arrow that is in flight is actually motionless.

Context: Zeno argues that:

1) Everything is at rest when it occupies a space equal to itself

2) Time is made up of instants called “nows”

So, because of this, the arrow, occupying a space equal to itself at every “now”, it is motionless while in flight.

Aristotle disagrees with this argument, because then nothing would be in motion if time is continuous.

The paradox of Achilles

Zeno

The slowest as it runs will never be caught by the quickest.

Context: Zeno argues that if Achilles and a tortoise are put into a race, and Achilles gains a head start without being able to stop, to get to the point the tortoise is at requires another lap BUT within the time Achilles runs that lap, the tortoise has already moved to a new point on the path. No matter how many times Achilles runs another lap to get to the new point, the tortoise will always be ahead and be at another location. Aristotle disagrees with this argument and explains his “infinite at division” counterargument again.

Formal Analysis

Berger

A strategy used to translate what one sees into written words, using elements or principles.

Context: Berger’s art pieces can be analyzed by using formal analysis such as noting the colors in the piece, the type of shapes there are, how things contrast, and the emphasis within each piece.

The seven elements in formal analysis

Berger

1) Line: Can be used to create complex shapes or building blocks within a painting’s purpose

• Lines creating shapes within clothing

2) Value: The degree of light and dark within a design

• A face having much more value than a background

3) Shapes: Lines formed together to make squares, triangles, or circles.

• A face being very circular/oval shaped

4) Forms: 3D shapes creating depth.

• Pyramids being in a painting

5) Space: Area between and around objects.

• A woman taking up more space, or her having little space between herself and a tree in a painting.

6) Color: Differentiates and defines lines, shapes, forms, and space.

• A dress being red while the background is sky blue.

7) Texture: Surface quality that can be seen and felt

• Skin appearing smooth or grass feeling rough in a painting.

The work of a thing

Plato

Everything has a specific work that corresponds to a specific excellence that allows it to work well.

Context: Socrates explains that the eyes, ears, and pruning knives have their own work, to which Plato says they correspond to an excellence that allows them to work well, and if humans have a disability, blindness or deafness, they will perform badly. In terms of the soul, it has a unique work of living and governing. A bad soul will govern poorly, while a good soul will govern justly, allow it to fulfill its excellence, and have joy.

The virtue of a thing

Plato

A specific quality, capacity, or state that allows an object to perform its work well.

Context: Socrates explains that the eyes, ears, and pruning knives have their own work, to which Plato says they correspond to an excellence that allows them to work well, and if humans have a disability, blindness or deafness, they will perform badly. The excellence of an eye is to see, of an ear is to hear, and of a knife is to have sharpness, and virtue is when excellence is fulfilled. In terms of the soul, it has a unique work of living and governing. A bad soul will govern poorly, while a good soul will govern justly, allowing it to fulfill its excellence as virtue. The performance of a body depends on its virtue of health, and knowing what is good in life depends on the virtue of knowledge.

The desiring part of a soul

Plato

An appetitive part of the soul, which is basic physical drives.

Context: Plato explains that it is the physical want that can translate into hunger, thirst, and a want for pleasure/fulfillment. In the context of being thirsty, one wants to drink like an animal, but wisdom may stop them if it is known that the water is poisoned. Or, when one wants to look at a corpse, so they do, but are met with shame due to not overcoming human desire.

The spirited part of the soul

Plato

Part of the soul that is courageous, ambitious, competitive, and honor-loving.

Context: Plato explains a context where, when one wants to look at a corpse, so they do, but are met with shame due to not overcoming human desire. That shame comes from the spirit part of the soul. Spirit polices desire, controlled by education of what is right. Spirit is even in infants and animals.

The rational (or calculating) part of the soul

Plato

The part of the soul that is reason, logic, and wisdom about reality.

Context: Plato explains that reason works with the ally of spirit. In the scenario of thirst, the desire to drink, one may have the knowledge that the drink is poisoned and the spirit to avoid that drink. Or when rulers have the wisdom of what is good and have the spirit to abide by that logic.

The idea of the good

Plato

The supreme principle of reality, knowledge, and value.

Context: Plato argues that good is needed to have benefit from any other knowledge or possession. In the context of the cave dwellers, the sun not only represents light and growth, but also represents the power of understanding reality and truth. When a prisoner escapes the cave and sees the outside world under the light of the sun, they are awakened to what is true and right. That compels them to want to go back to the cave to expose the others to the good, because good also comes from seeking the well-being of the city and not just oneself.