Philosphy Final

What is speculative knowledge?

knowledge that is sought simply for the sake of seeing the truth

What is practical knowledge?

knowledge that is sought for the sake of doing something with speculative knowledge

What is a "science" according to Aristotle?

ordered body of certain or sure truth

What are the first principles of theology?

based on what we can discern from divine revelation

What are the first principles of philosophy?

what we can discern from natural reasoning/ human reasoning and intellect

Why are we studying Socrates and Plato?

must dwell/read in the philosophers to understand

How are temperance and chastity's related to the study of philosophy?

we need temperance to discipline ourselves to achieve docility and interior silence; to quell worldly passions and have order to them and to be pure of heart (search for wisdom)

Can philosophy be considered a science?

yes

How are philosophy and theology related?

philosophy can only get you so far but theology can take you farther

What did the Greek distinguish?

myth/legend and reason

What does sophia mean and denote?

wisdom and denotes scientific/practical knowledge

What is wisdom a study of?

things in their deepest aspect/general knowledge

Who came up with the term philosopher?

Pythagoras

What does philosopher mean?

philia: love, soph: wisdom = lover of wisdom

Who came after Socrates? Then after that?

Socrates \> Plato \> Aristotle

What does philosophy see?

whole of reality in comprehensive glance

(T/F) Philosophy is purely rational

true

What is philosophy according to Sullivan?

kind of superior knowledge, higher curiosity, endeavor to dig to roots, use reason to learn why we hold our basic convictions

What is the best way to learn?

to trace footsteps of greatest philosophers

(T/F) All men philosophize

true

What isn't a life worth living?

unexamined life

What does Kreeft say about Socrates?

he is a new type of man

What is Socrates concerned with?

truth and good of persons

(T/F) Socrates is Apostle of Wisdom

false; Apostle of Reason

According to Kreeft, what is the definition of piety?

holy fear

(T/F) Socrates believes in the gods

false

What is wrong with Euthyphro's 1st and 2nd definition?

1) gives example 2) not all gods agree

What is Socrates goal in his conversation with Euthyphro?

he wants to learn something from Euthyphro- come to understanding what piety is

What is Euthyphro's approach to his conversation with Socrates?

Euthyphro was confident in himself and the definition of piety

What is the "form" Socrates is looking for in his dialogue with Euthyphro?

some way of being that is shared by many instances that they all have common but also makes them what they are

How does Socrates hope to discover the form of piety?

through Euthyphro or conversation (Elenchus)

What is the problem with the answer: "The pious is what is dear to the gods?"

what may be dear to one god may not be dear to another

What is the problem with the answer: "The pious is what all the gods love?"

god's love is a response to piety, so piety wouldn't be caused by gods

How would we know if we have discovered the form of piety?

it would have what makes all pious things pious

What is Socrates' concern with the suggestion that the pious might be "the part of the just that is concerned with the care of the gods?"

what do we do that pleases/benefits the gods

At the beginning of Meno, what do we learn about the question "Can virtue be taught?"

wants form of virtue

What is the definition of definition?

words which express precisely what a thing is

What are the 3 rules of defining that we draw from Meno?

1) Definition must explain COMMON NATURE, ESSENCE, and FORM of a thing defined2) Definition must include every ONE of the things defined3) Every definition include ONLY the things defined

What is Socrates compared to? Why?

torpedo fish; he numbs mind and tongue of those he talks to

What is Meno's apparently impossible circle regarding learning?

one cannot find what he doesn't know because he does not look for it and when he has found it he does not know that he has; cannot search for what he knows because there is no need to search

What is Socrates reasoning for the impossible circle regarding learning?

recollection

Using the 3 rules of defining, what is wrong with the 3 definitions Meno gives?

1) gives a list2) too narrow3) too broad

What was the problem Socrates found with the various groups of potentially wise men when he questioned them?

they thought they were wise when they were not

Why does Socrates think "older" accusations against him are more dangerous?

jury grew up hearing those accusations- more likely to believe it

What is the relationship between wealth and virtue?

wealth does not bring virtue but virtue makes wealth and anything good for man

For Socrates, what are the two parts of wisdom?

1) knowing what you don't know

2)?

What was Socrates' conclusion about the oracle at Delphi?

that he is not the wisest and as an order to see if it was true

How does Socrates respond to the accusation of impiety?

"I am doing what I am doing" - doing the will of the gods

What is Socrates' attitude towards those who claim to have proper care for higher things?

wants to prove they care for nothing

What metaphor does Socrates use to describe how he stirs up the Athenian people?

gadfly

Is it likely that the Apology is historically accurate?

yes

What does Socrates think is the "punishment" he really deserves? Why?

free meals: to be taken care of- role in community to take care of teachers (how it OUGHT to be)

What is Socrates' final suggestion as to what his punishment should be? Why?

to be fined but his friends (Plato) will pay since he is poor

According to Socrates in the Apology, what do you realize when you come to see more of the truth?

how little we know- realize ignorance

Why is realizing one's ignorance a key step towards wisdom?

1st step to establish openness

In Socrates' experience, what is perhaps the main hindrance in growing in wisdom? Why?

knowing how little we know

What does Socrates seem to mean by the "examined life" when he says "the unexamined life is not worth living"?

discover virtue so that we can have it in ourselves

For Socrates, what is the goal of the examined life?

determine if you are really living a good life

What is Socrates' attitude toward death in the apology (3)

1) fearing death = unwise 2) wickedness runs faster than death and is a greater danger 3) death might be of greatest of blessings (hope)

What does Socrates seem to believe about divine providence?

man's affairs are not neglected by gods

At the end of the Apology, what does Socrates hope his fellow citizens will do for his sons?

if they are arrogant or foolish reproach them

What is Plato's big idea?

forms

How are forms seen?

by the eye of the mind

(T/F) Forms are subjective

False- objective and immutable

What defines the forms (3)?

eternal, one, and perfect

What is the movement of allegory?

greater to lesser

What is the movement of symbolism?

lesser to greater

How are images valuable?

way by which we reach forms/ greater

Where can you find the allegory of The Cave?

Bk VII of Republic

Summarize allegory of cave.

People trapped in cave and can only see shadows. One man escapes and goes outside. Blinded and realizes greater things (forms). Goes back into the cave to tell of this and people don't believe him and think he is now bad.

How does the allegory of the cave relate to Platonic philosophy?

the outside is forms, our subjectiveness are shadows that point to a greater reality

What is ethics dependent on?

metaphysics

(T/F) The ought is dependent on the is.

true

What is good for humans?

philosophy/anthropology

What does the modern view lead to?

relativism and reductionism (moving into cave)

What are the 4 branches of philosophy?

metaphysics, epistemology, anthropology, and ethics

What is metaphysics?

showing us a different kind of reality- reality outside of cave

What is epistomology?

different kind of knowledge, knowing forms

What is anthropology?

showing us our new identity b/c of our relationship with forms and transcendence

What is ethics?

showing us another kind of good to strive for perfect goodness

What are the 2 dangers of leaving the cave?

1) feels disorienting and overwhelming b/c of the knowledge of the forms 2) might assign less value to the images than they actually have

What is the objective standard for judgement?

Plato's forms/ideas

(T/F) We invent truths.

false; we discover truths

For Plato, what is reason?

wisdom, understanding, and insight into the Forms

What is belief?

secondhand opinions based on reflections or images or secondhand reports of real things

What is intelligence?

knowledge of the forms

What is essence?

nature of things- 4th level that sets us apart from animals

What are the political alternatives to Platonism?

tyranny or anarchy

What are the two main parts to Crito's argument that Socrates should try to escape?

1) people will think Crito didn't want to spend money to save Socrates 2) it would be unjust if Socrates didn't try and escape

In his response to Crito, what is Socrates' first basic point about how to decide how to act?

Socrates has confidence in the power of reason (and moral principles) to discern the right course of action; don't follow majority

What does Socrates think about turning to the opinion of others in deciding how to act?

be concerned with the people who are wise (know justice/injustice), not the majority

What does Socrates say will happen if we do not follow the right opinion in moral matters?

failing to be just (live the good life) would harm the soul; we must look to the wise and follow their opinion, greatest evil to decide to not live the good life

What does Socrates think about basing moral decisions on the consequences of an action?

base only on the justice of an action, not the consequences

What are Socrates' moral principles that guide his response to Crito?

certain actions are always wrong, should never be done; opinion of wise should always be valued; soul is higher part of man; good life should be valued over life; what matters is to do what is just; never do wrong willingly (never return injustice for injustice); go with humility, courage, and reason

What are the arguments given by "the Laws" in Socrates' response to Crito (3)?

1) impious to disobey the state; 2) escape is intent to destroy the laws; 3) citizens are not on equal footing with the state (like children/parents)

How do "the Laws" refer to the laws of the underworld?

if we obey the laws, the laws of the underworld will receive us kindly; vice versa

What are the four things on the divided line?

1) forms 2) mathematical objects 3) material things 4) images of material things

What are the two realms of the divided line, how are they grasped, and what are their characteristics?

intelligible: grasped through knowledge of forms through reason and intellect, does not change (characteristic); visible: grasped through trust/faith and other senses, changes (growth, decay, etc.)

Why are the sections on the divided line divided into unequal parts?

knowledge of material things is lesser than knowledge of the forms; greater part is greater part of reality (corresponds to higher things)