PH100 Final exam combined set

Neolithic Revolution

(10,000 - 8,000 BCE) The development of agriculture and the domestication of animals as a food source. This led to the development of permanent settlements and the start of civilization.

Bronze Age

A period in human history, beginning around 3000 B.C. in some areas, during which people began using bronze, rather than copper or stone, to fashion tools and weapons. Urbanization, heroic myths, and formation of first tables of law.

Axial Age

A term coined by German philosopher Karl Jaspers to describe the period from 800 to 200 BCE, during which similar new ways of thinking, marked by reason rather than myth, appeared in Persia, India, China, and Greece.

Metaphysics

A branch of philosophy that investigates the ultimate nature of reality.

Teleology

The study of whether there is a design or purpose to the universe and a direction or end-point to which it is headed.

cosmology

study of the universe as a totality; theory of the origin and structure of the universe

Apology

defense of an idea

Apology (Plato)

Socratic dialogue that Plato writes of Socrates in defense of himself when he is on trial for corruption of youth. This dialogue shows us how Socrates lived/what he believed in which helps thinkers later view his philosophies in different light.

Plato

Socrates' most well known pupil. Founded an academy in Athens. Often considered the most influential philosopher of Western civilization.

Oracle of Delphi

Person representing the god Apollo; allegedly received cryptic messages from the god that had predictive value if the seeker could correctly interpret the communication

Democracy

A system of government by the whole population or all the eligible members of a state, typically through elected representatives. Rule by the mob.

Oligarchy

A government ruled by a few powerful people

Thirty Tyrants

Committee of thirty Athenians appointed by the Spartan conquerors of Athens to rule the city.

Critias

Leader of the Thirty Tyrants, a former student of Socrates.

Euthyphro

Socrates questions him about the definition of piety to which he answers "what all the god's love"

Euthyphro Dilemma

Is what is morally good commanded by God because it is morally good, or is it morally good because it is commanded by God?

Chaerephon

A childhood friend of Socrates who went to the Oracle at Delphi

The Clouds

A play by Aristophanes that depicted Socrates wrongly as a foolish natural philosopher and sophist.

Thales

"Father of Western Philosophy". Greek philosopher who taught that the universe had originated from water.

"Know thyself"

The famous inscription at Delphi and its god, Apollo

Crito

Student and friend of Socrates who tried to persuade Socrates to flee Athens and escape his death sentence. Socrates' response is contained in the Platonic dialogue named after him.

Cynicism

A philosophical movement that advocated living in harmony with nature by rejecting conventional desires for wealth, power, and social status. It aimed to strip life down to its essentials and live with radical honesty and freedom.

Diogenes of Sinope

The most famous Cynic philosopher (c. 412-323 BCE), notorious for his extreme ascetic lifestyle, public provocations, and relentless criticism of societal norms. He embodied philosophy through action rather than writing.

Autarkeia (Self-Sufficiency)

The Cynic ideal of complete independence from external goods, social approval, and artificial needs. A life of true freedom meant needing as little as possible.

Askēsis (Ascetic Training)

Deliberate and rigorous self-discipline aimed at overcoming desires, toughening the body and mind, and cultivating virtue through simplicity and endurance.

Parrhesia (Frank Speech)

The bold and unapologetic expression of truth, central to Cynic practice. Cynics used speech as a tool to provoke, challenge hypocrisy, and cut through polite delusion.

Anaideia (Shamelessness)

The intentional disregard for social taboos and conventions, reflecting the belief that natural acts should not be hidden or cause shame. Diogenes practiced this by living and behaving openly, even scandalously.

Aporia (Perplexity)

A state of confusion or doubt, often induced by the Cynics to challenge conventional wisdom.

Dog-like (Kynikos)

The term “Cynic” derives from kynos (Greek for “dog”), reflecting the Cynics’ admiration for canine traits—living simply, acting naturally, and being indifferent to social approval.

Crates of Thebes

A devoted student of Diogenes who renounced great wealth to live a life of Cynic poverty. He became an influential figure in his own right and helped bridge Cynicism and early Stoicism.

Cosmopolitanism

The radical Cynic idea that one should identify not with a particular city or nation, but as a "citizen of the world," united with all humanity through reason and nature."

Chreia

Short, witty anecdotes used by the Cynics to illustrate their philosophy through action.

Barrel Myth

Later tradition claims Diogenes lived in a barrel (pithos), but it was likely a large storage jar.

The Lantern of Diogenes

Diogenes walked through Athens with a lantern "searching for an honest man," mocking societal hypocrisy.

Antisthenes

Often considered the founder of Cynicism and a student of Socrates. He laid the groundwork for Cynic philosophy by advocating for virtue through self-control and independence from external goods.

Viktor Frankl

Father of Logotherapy (existential form of treatment which stresses 'healing through meaning'). Author of "Man's Search for Meaning."

Logotherapy

Developed by Frankl, this brand of existential therapy literally means "healing through reason." It focuses on challenging clients to search for meaning in life.

Vienna, Austria

Capital city of Austria and central location of mid-20th century psychology

Anschluss

The takeover of Austria by Nazi Germany in 1938

Meaning

The central concept of purpose or significance in one's life.

Existentialism

A philosophy emphasizing individual freedom and responsibility.

Auschwitz

Nazi extermination camp in Poland, the largest center of mass murder during the Holocaust. Close to a million Jews, Gypsies, Communists, and others were killed there.

Theresienstadt

the "model" concentration camp used to deceive the visiting International Red Cross; The ghetto and transit camp where the Frankl's were first sent

Existential vacuum

A condition of emptiness and hollowness that results from meaninglessness in life.

Spiritual Freedom

The ability to maintain inner freedom despite external conditions.

Will to Meaning

Frankl's belief that the primary human drive is to find meaning.

Dehumanization

The stripping away of individuality and dignity, as seen in the camps.

Capos

Prisoners assigned to oversee others in concentration camps, often harshly.

Transcendence

Rising above suffering to connect with higher values or purpose.

Eleonore (Tilly) Schwindt

Frankl's first wife, who perished in the Holocaust.

Behaviorism

A theoretical orientation based on the premise that scientific psychology should study only observable behavior instead of unobservable thoughts and feelings. Methods: Laboratory experiments, controlled observation, and systematic measurement.

B. F. Skinner

American psychologist who championed behaviorism and studied operant conditioning.

Tragic Optimism

A term coined by psychiatrist Viktor Frankl to explain the mindset of someone who can find value and meaning in the worst situation, and in the face of the "tragic triad" of pain, guilt, and death.

Statue of Responsibility

Frankl's proposal that America create a second statue on the West coast to supplement the Statue of Liberty on the East coast.

Mary Wollstonecraft

British feminist of the eighteenth century who argued for women's equality with men, even in voting, in her 1792 "Vindication of the Rights of Women."

Patriarchy

The social system in which men hold power and women are largely excluded from it; Wollstonecraft critiques this structure as unjust and limiting for both men and women.

"False Refinement"

A concept Wollstonecraft critiques, where superficial qualities and manners are emphasized in women rather than true moral and intellectual development.

French Revolution

The 1789 revolution that inspired debates about rights, equality, and governance, influencing Wollstonecraft and other Enlightenment thinkers.

Edmund Burke

An influential conservative writer who criticized the French Revolution in Reflections on the Revolution in France. Wollstonecraft responded to his arguments in her earlier work, A Vindication of the Rights of Men.

Revolution Controversy

The intense public debate in Britain sparked by the French Revolution, with writers and thinkers weighing in on the ideas of rights, equality, and governance.

Jean-Jacques Rousseau

An Enlightenment philosopher whose views on natural rights and education were widely debated. Though Wollstonecraft admired some of his ideas, she critiqued his views on women's roles and education.

Natural Rights

The belief that rights are inherent to all humans, a principle debated in the context of the Revolution. Wollstonecraft argues that these rights should apply equally to women.

Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen

The foundational document of the French Revolution asserting rights for men, which inspired Wollstonecraft to argue for women's rights as well.

Republicanism

A political ideology that advocates for a government based on the consent of the governed, often with elected representatives rather than a monarchy.

Charles-Maurice de Talleyrand

A French diplomat and political figure who, in 1791, presented a report to the French National Assembly advocating limited education for women focused on domestic roles. Wollstonecraft directly addresses Talleyrand in A Vindication of the Rights of Woman, critiquing his view and arguing instead for comprehensive education that empowers women intellectually and morally.

Olympe de Gouges

A French revolutionary and feminist who wrote Declaration of the Rights of Woman and the Female Citizen, paralleling Wollstonecraft’s advocacy for women’s rights.

William Godwin

An influential anarchist philosopher and writer, Wollstonecraft's future husband, who also supported Enlightenment ideas and critiqued traditional structures of authority.

Anarchism

A political theory favoring the abolition of governments

Mary Shelley

The daughter of Mary Wollstonecraft and author of Frankenstein. She was influenced by her mother’s ideas on education, equality, and women’s rights.

Stoicism

An ancient Greek philosophy that became popular amongst many notable Romans. Emphasis on ethics. They considered destructive emotions to be the result of errors in judgment, and that a wise person would repress emotions, especially negative ones and that "virtue is sufficient for happiness."

Zeno

Greek philosopher who founded the school of philosophy called Stoicism

Stoa

In ancient Greek architecture, an open building with a roof supported by a row of columns parallel to the back wall. A covered colonnade or portico.

Epictetus

Stoic philosopher and former slave;

Enchiridion

The collection of compiled and edited teachings of Epictetus, a guide to moral conduct based on principles and precepts of Stoicism.

Negative visualization (premeditatio malorum)

Stoic technique of imagining a negative scenario in order to both prepare ourselves for that scenario and to make us more appreciative of our present good fortune

Dichotomy of Control

the Stoic idea that you should know the difference between and focus only on what you can supposedly control: your actions, beliefs about what is good or bad or desirable, and intentions (and not on things outside your control)

amor fati

Latin for "Love thy Fate;" a Stoic idea also associated with Nietzsche

Eternal Recurrence

The Stoic belief that the universe is on a repeating cycle of time; an idea also associated with Nietzsche

Determinism

The idea that fate cannot be altered by human action; everything is predestined to happen as it does by natural law

Marcus Aurelius

Roman emperor from 161 to 180 C.E., best known for his writings of Stoic philosophy in his Meditations.

James Stockdale

A United States Navy vice admiral and aviator awarded the Medal of Honor in the Vietnam War, during which he was a prisoner of war for over seven years. He survived by remembering lessons from the Meditations and other stoic texts.

Voluntary Discomfort

A stoic practical exercises in which you intentionally put yourself in uncomfortable situations (taking a cold shower, sleeping on the floor, etc.). This serves as a preparation for hard times

Seneca

Roman statesman and philosopher who was an advisor to Nero

Stoa Poikile

The "Painted Porch," a covered colonnade in Athens; Zeno taught here

Logos

The divine principle that according to the Stoics orders the universe; also means logic or word. Later adopted by St. John's gospel as the "Word"

theism

belief in a god that is separate or different from the world

pantheism

the belief that God and nature are one and the same, or that the universe is itself divine

panentheism

the belief or doctrine that God is greater than the universe and includes and interpenetrates it.

fate

A destiny preordained by the gods no matter what action a person takes in the present; often portrayed as a god itself.

fortune

Chance, luck; the unexpected twists and turns of life

Eudaimonia

happiness or flourishing

Neo-Stoicism

A contemporary lifestyle and self-help movement based on Stoic ethics.

Epicurus

Greek philosopher who believed that the world is a random combination of atoms and that pleasure is the highest good (341-270 BC)

Atomism

Belief that everything in the universe consists of small indivisible particles.

Letter to Monoeceus

Epicurus's letter that outlines his philosophy on how to achieve happiness, emphasizing the importance of seeking pleasure wisely, understanding the nature of desires, and overcoming the fear of death and the gods.

Hedonism

A philosophy based on pleasure as the highest good. Epicurus taught this.

autarkeia

Self-reliance, ability to be self-sufficient, a key Epicurean philosophy

Meno

A Platonic dialogue written about 385BC that deals with questions about virtue, knowledge, and the nature of learning.

Stephanus numbers

Standardized pagination system intended to make it easier to refer to places in Plato's Dialogs.

Meno's Paradox

If you know what you're looking for, inquiry is unnecessary. If you don't know what you're looking for, inquiry is impossible. Therefore, inquiry is either unnecessary or impossible.