Introduction to Philosophy, Human Person, Freedom, Environment, and Society

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering key terms, philosophical methods, branches, ecological theories, concepts of human freedom, and social structure frameworks across all five lecture sources.

Philos

Derived from the Greek word for "Love", representing a deep devotion and pursuit.

Sophia

The Greek word for "Wisdom", referring to the correct application of knowledge and insight.

Philosophy

The "Love of Wisdom"; a systematic study of the fundamental nature of knowledge, reality, and existence.

Metaphysics

The branch of philosophy that focuses on the state of reality, encompassing Ontology (origin of things) and Existentialism (essence of existence).

Epistemology

The branch of philosophy concerned with how humans learn and acquire knowledge.

Ethics

The branch of philosophy that studies right and wrong, as well as moral acts.

Logic

The branch of philosophy dedicated to the art of correct and inferential thinking.

Aesthetics

The branch of philosophy focused on the appreciation of beauty and art.

Rationalism

A philosophical method holding that every occurrence has a corresponding reason and that truth is discovered through logic.

Empiricism

A philosophical method asserting that concepts require evidence and that truth originates from sensory experience.

Skepticism

A philosophical method centered on rejecting ideas before fully accepting them by continuously doubting to find certainty.

Phenomenology

A philosophical method based on learning through lived experience, holding that truth is subjective and felt.

Holistic Perspective

A viewpoint that examines the entire system, its interconnected parts, and their relationships before forming a conclusion.

Partial Point of View

A narrow perspective that concentrates on only one aspect or a limited part of a situation while overlooking other relevant factors.

Opinion

A personal belief, feeling, or judgment that is subjective and unproven.

Truth

An objective, verifiable empirical reality or fact that exists independently of personal feelings.

Embodiment

The state of being bound to a physical, material body characterized by continuous physical change and local environmental connections.

Transcendence

The distinct human capacity to rise above physical and temporal limitations through intellect, conscience, and spirit.

Platonic Dualism

Plato's framework dividing human nature into an eternal soul possessing absolute knowledge and an evil body serving as a temporal prison.

Aristotelian Hylemorphism

Aristotle's perspective viewing human completeness as a composite of a tangible body, animating soul, and intellectual spirit.

Anthropocentrism

A human-centric ecological model that justifies using the natural environment purely for human survival, comfort, and economic advancement.

Biocentrism

A life-centric ecological perspective holding that all living organisms possess inherent value and require moral respect.

Ecocentrism

An ecosystem-centric view asserting that all living and non-living elements form an interconnected network deserving respect as a whole.

Deep Ecology

Arne Naess's philosophy asserting that all forms of life possess inherent worth, demanding a shift from human dominance to deep harmony with nature.

Animal Ethics

Peter Singer's framework stating that animals deserve moral consideration grounded in their capacity to suffer and experience physical pain.

Social Ecology

Murray Bookchin's philosophy explaining that environmental crises are fundamentally rooted in social issues such as hierarchy, inequality, and greed.

Reenchantment of the World

Morris Berman's concept advocating the restoration of wonder, connection, and sacred respect between humans and the natural world.

Physical Freedom

The absence of physical restraint, granting mobility to act and travel freely within the physical environment.

Moral Freedom

The ethical exercise of liberty that upholds human dignity and goodness.

Psychological Freedom

Also known as freedom of choice; the innate capacity to evaluate situations and choose actions considered right and wise.

Voluntariness

The capacity to act out of one's own free will and self-determination without external compulsion.

Responsibility

The state of being fully accountable for one's actions and their resulting consequences.

Human Acts

Conscious, rational activities depending on intellect and free will, characterized by knowledge, free will, and voluntariness.

Acts of Man

Involuntary or instinctive actions performed under conditions such as ignorance, fear, passion, violence, habits, or biological movements.

Social Contract Theory (Hobbes)

Thomas Hobbes's theory that individuals surrender natural unrestricted freedom to a sovereign authority in exchange for security and social order.

Leap of Faith (Kierkegaard)

Soren Kierkegaard's model of human existence progressing through Aesthetic, Ethical, and Religious stages, culminating in absolute commitment to God.

Existential Freedom (Sartre)

Jean-Paul Sartre's concept that "Man is Condemned to be Free," holding that humans have no predetermined nature and possess complete responsibility for self-definition.

Nihilism (Nietzsche)

Friedrich Nietzsche's view of life lacking inherent meaning, which serves as a liberating opportunity for individuals to create their own personal values.

Rebellion (Camus)

Albert Camus's idea that freedom involves rejecting injustice, oppression, and absurdity while actively affirming life and human dignity.

Society

An organized group of people interacting frequently who share a common territory, culture, and structural support systems.

Culture

The complex whole of beliefs, practices, traditions, customs, norms, and shared religion that makes up a group's way of life.

Custom

A short-term, flexible, and accepted way of behaving within a specific group, culture, or local region.

Tradition

A long-term belief or practice passed down across multiple generations that is deeply rooted in history and resistant to rapid change.

Ethnocentrism

William Graham Sumner's concept describing the belief that one's own culture is superior to all others.

Xenocentrism

Donald P. Kent's concept describing the belief that foreign cultures, lifestyles, or goods are inherently superior to one's own.

Cultural Relativism

Franz Boas's perspective of evaluating cultural practices and beliefs strictly within their own cultural context.

General Will (Rousseau)

Jean-Jacques Rousseau's concept where sovereign citizens empower government to act on their collective behalf for societal benefit.

Veil of Ignorance (Rawls)

John Rawls's hypothetical decision-making position where individuals design a fair, equitable society without bias toward their own social placement.

Feudal Society

A medieval European society structured rigidly around land ownership, vassalage, and social hierarchies (Kings, Lords, Knights, Serfs).

Digital Citizen

A person knowledgeable and responsible enough to effectively use internet platforms to build a better society.

Folkways

Everyday customs, manners, and social routines whose violation is considered impolite or eccentric rather than criminal.

Mores

Strict moral norms tied to a culture's core values whose violation causes strong social disapproval and moral outrage.

Law

Formal, written rules established by a government and legally enforced through official consequences such as fines or imprisonment.