Philosophy Quiz One

Extra Credit Policy

Exemplary participation is the only possible route to extra credit in this course. Participation is not a formal component of the course grade, but I may award extra credit to students who distinguish themselves by consistently exhibiting exemplary engagement.

• This can include asking lots of good questions in class, regularly discussing the material with me outside of class, making quality contributions to online discussions (if applicable), and so forth.

• I will give a student extra credit for exemplary participation provided that each of the following three conditions is met: (1) that person’s attendance record is excellent; (2) they have consistently participated in an exemplary way, along the lines indicated above; and (3) an upwardly-adjusted course grade would, in my judgment, more accurately reflect their total performance than would a grade based purely on quiz and exam scores.

Artificial Intelligence Policy

• The use of artificial intelligence tools in connection with PHIL 101 assignments is strongly discouraged, and (2) the use of such tools for purposes of quiz or exam prep is strictly prohibited and may be treated as an Honor Code violation, for the simple reason that such misuse amounts to receiving unauthorized assistance on work done for academic credit.

• Note also that in any case where I suspect that a student’s quiz or exam responses reflect the use of AI (as opposed to their own direct engagement with the relevant readings and lectures), I reserve the right to conduct an in-person oral exam, at a time of my choosing, on the material covered by the quiz or exam in question.

Sharing Class Materials

All lectures, course materials, assignments, tests, and other materials presented or made available to you in this course are exclusively for your own use and are not to be made public or otherwise shared with others in any way, in whole or in part, without my express written permission.

• There is one exception to this rule: you may feel free to share your lecture notes with another student in this class, on an individual basis — for example, as a favor to a classmate who has been absent because of illness. Apart from that, however, posting, sharing, publishing, or otherwise distributing any other course material without my express written permission is not allowed.

Attendance and Excused Absence

Attendance at lectures is expected but not strictly required: I will not formally track attendance, and absences alone will not directly affect your grade. Be advised, however, that being absent from the lectures might still negatively impact your performance in various other ways. For example:

• Lecture notes will not be posted online (and are not allowed to be shared online). Also, missing the extra explanations and discussions that take place in class may make it harder to thoroughly understand the material.

• Except under extraordinary circumstances, I will not provide lecture notes to students who miss class. If you miss class for any reason, then you are expected to get the missed notes from a classmate. Exceptions will be made only in cases where I judge that there are legitimately compelling reasons.

• Only students whose attendance (or, if applicable, online engagement) has been excellent will qualify for extra credit at semester’s end.

Scheduled and administered according to the policy printed below. In order to have an absence excused, your prompt and proactive communication is required. You should contact me as soon as possible — ideally in advance, and on the same day at the latest — and you must be honest about the reason for your absence. Be advised that I may require supporting documentation, in cases where it seems appropriate to do so. Students who fail to communicate with me promptly, proactively, and honestly will thereby forfeit the right to have their absences excused. I will excuse your absence only if there is an academically legitimate reason for it.

Make Up Policy

If you miss a quiz or exam, you will be granted a makeup only if that absence is excused in accordance with the policies above. Makeups will be administered on three days only.

Recording and Technology Usage

Students are expected to pay close attention and take good notes during lecture (and thereby to cultivate good listening and information-processing skills), instead of using recording devices to circumvent those challenges.

What is wisdom, as we defined this concept in class?

Wisdom is more than just factual knowledge still, wisdom definitely depends upon such knowledge.

How does wisdom differ from ordinary knowledge?

Because it is…

• Not narrow factual expertise, and not mundane factual information

• It's the kind of factual knowledge that you need in order to truly determine how to live the best life

• Knowledge of how human existence fits into the grand scheme of things, lived experiences which are carefully reflected upon, yield insight into what is (and is not) truly valuable, truly important, very worthwhile, etc…

• To gain wisdom also takes time to reflect upon the grand scheme of things, and upon the meaning of life lessons. To gain wisdom also takes effort

  • Know a million things  → does NOT equal wisdom

  • Live to an old age → does NOT equal wisdom

What is an ultimate question, as that term was defined in class?

The most basic and comprehensive questions about what is and what ought to be.

In Class Examples:

• What is the ultimate nature of reality?

• What can I know about absolute certainty?

• What ought to be my highest goals in life?

What does it mean to say that the ultimate questions are not empirical questions?

• Empirical Questions: Questions that can be conclusively settled via sensory observation. 

• So ultimate questions are not empirical questions because they cannot be conclusively settled through sensory observation.

• Example:

  • Empirical: What are the typical person's ultimate goals?

  • Philosophical: What ought to be a person's main goal in life?

What does it mean to describe philosophy as disciplined thinking about ultimate questions?

• Disciplined Thinking: Focused and sustained, well regulated and aiming for excellence. Aiming for…

  • Conceptual clarity

  • Objective consideration of the evidence

  • Logical reasoning from the evidence

  • Critical evaluation of concepts, claims, and arguments

• Ultimate Questions: The most basic and comprehensive questions about what is and what ought to be.

  • Studying philosophy can help deepen and sharpen our understanding of them

• So philosophy is the focused and sustained thinking about the most basic and comprehensive questions of what ought to be

What are the four main branches of philosophy?

• Metaphysics

• Epistemology

• Value Theory

• Logic

What is the main topic of Metaphysics?

The ultimate nature, structure of reality

What is an example of Metaphysics?

• Is the physical world all there is?

• Does the world exist by chance or is there a deep meaning?

What is the main topic of Epistemology?

The nature, extent, and possibility of knowledge

What is an example of Epistemology?

• Can anything be known to be true beyond all possibility of doubt?

• What makes true statements the truth?

What is the main topic of Value Theory?

The nature, status, and basis of values

What is an example of Value Theory?

• What ought to be the highest goals of human existence?

• Are there objectively valid values

What is the main topic of Logic?

Valid reasonings basic principles and forms → relates to the above areas, not necessarily its own category

What is the main goal of the humanities, and how does it differ from the main goal of the sciences?

The sciences aim mainly to expand our empirical knowledge and technological control of the world around us while the humanities seek primarily to deepen our understanding and appreciation of human life

• Philosophy & religion

• History

• Cultural studies

• Literature & languages

• Art & art history