Studied by 1 person
why do we study first principles (5)
philosophy is the study of the ultimate nature of things
philosophy begins with ordinary experiences, but leads to principles that can’t be investigated through the senses
rather, we must use reason to understand these ultimate things
reason ought to be based on these principles
therefore, philosophy reasons from first principles to conclusions
The Principle of Identity
speculative principle
each being is what it is
violating this means that everything is indeterminate & knowledge is impossible
The Principle of Non-Contradiction
speculative principle
nothing can both be and not be at the same time in the same respect
nothing can be true and false at the same time
Excluded Middle
speculative principle
there is never a grey area - always a determinate wrong and a right (even in moral issues)
choice might be difficult though
The Principle of Sufficient Reason
speculative principle
everything which is, to the extent to which it is, possesses a sufficient reason for its being so that it is capable of explaining itself to the intellect
something can explain its reason of being without outside factors
ex. broken window
The Principle of Finality
speculative principle
every agents acts for an end - every action has to have a purpose
potentiality has a reference for actuality
acting meaning actualisation — realization of potentiality
if an agent did not act for an end, then it would act w/o sufficient reason (ex. not having end goals for anything)
The Principle of Causality
speculative principle
nothing moves itself from potency to act except by something already in act
every effect has a cause
to deny causality is to deny non-contradiction (can’t give it what it does not have)
Definition: The Four Causes
part of causality
causes that go into a complete or sufficient explanation of change
What are the Four Causes
the agent cause: that by which there is coming to be
the formal cause: they for the sake of which there’s coming to be
the material cause: the from which there’s coming to be
the final cause: that for which the sake of which there’s coming to be
Four Causes Examples
agent - sculptor formal - marble dove material - marble cube final - anniversary gift
_________ is possible only on the basis of causes
knowledge
_______ is precisely a knowledge of things through their proper causes
science
First Principle of Morality
principle of practical reason do good and avoid evil b/c we believe in the transcendentals (what humans really desire - intelligible goods)
Intelligible Goods
basic things that humans desire (love, family, unity, acceptance, relationships, work, etc)
not meeting these needs leads to people changing themselves to try and belong, which leads to a lost sense of self / makes you feel unloved as yourself
Secondary Precept #1
one ought not to willingly destroy an instance of an intelligible human good for the sake of some other intelligible or sensible good (you are what you will)
don’t destroy obtaining one desire for another - leads to not meeting needs of intelligible goods
Secondary Precept #2
one ought not to treat another human person as means to an end (do not use people like they are objects) - don’t hurt their passions
Secondary Precept #3
one ought not to treat certain others with a preference, unless the preferential treatment is required by basic intelligible human goods
ex. can’t love children equally b/c they have different strengths
ex. put spouse first to show an example of unity to children
ex. never put work on top of your family
Secondary Precept #4
one ought not to willingly act individualistically for human goods (level one happiness - materialism, only focusing on oneself, instead of effects on other people)
Secondary Precept #5
one ought not to act purely on the basis of emotion (don’t be a slave to your passions - leads to following evil)
Note 
Flashcard (46)