Philosophy Exam Review 1

1/15/25



Metaphysics: What exists, of what is its nature?

Ethics: The study of morality (good/ bad) (right/ wrong).

Epistemology: What is the nature of knowledge and belief? 

Phil of Mind: What is the nature of the mind, and its relationship to the body?

Aesthetics- What is the nature of beauty and art? 


Intuitions

The Law of Identity: Everything is identical with itself ( ex. A is A)

The Law of NonContradiction: Things cannot both be and not be, in the same sense, at the same time. (ex. It cannot be the case that A is and not A). 

Logic: The science of evaluating arguments.

Argument: A statement, or set of statements, in support of a conclusion. 

  • Example: Tables exist, because I perceive them.

  • Example: I perceive tables therefore, tables exist. 


Example of FALSE PREMISE: Everything I perceive exists I perceive tables therefore tables exist. 


Counter Example: An example that contradicts a supporting statement in an argument (ex. hallucinations).  



1/27/25


Cartesian Doubt/ Absolute Doubt: Questioning knowing anything at all.


Absolute Knowledge (incapable of being doubted) 

  • I exist ( I am a thing that exists) 

  • I think

“I think, therefore I am”

(cogito ergo sum) 


  • “ it appears to me that x” 


Golden Age Athens 

  • The oracle of Delohi “ Socrates is the wisest”

  • Charges against Socrates

  1. Impiety (atheism)

  2. Corruption of the Youth


1/29/25


Euthyphro:

  • What is piety? That which the gods love.

  • “ Doing as I’m doing now”

(Charging my father with murder)


Justification: He’s following the example of the gods.

How can we possibly know what they love?

  • There is no way of knowing: 


  1. Are pious things pious because the gods love them?

  2. Do the gods love pious things because those are pious?


Gods love → piety/ good → Render Morality Arbitrary  

Good/ Piety→ gods love 


That which is loved by the gods is loved by the gods because its that which is loved by the gods.


Sophists: Paid Orators 


The Oracle of Delphi- Socrates is the wisest purpose of his mission. 

  1. Prove God Wrong

  2. Reveal the ignorance of other “known cherists”

  3. Persuade people to change their values



2/3/25


Crito 


Crito’s Reasons for Escape 

  1. “ Think of your children, Socrates’ 

  2. “I don't want to loose a friend”

  3. “If you die, people will blame me” 

  4. “We blame ourselves’

  5. “If you die, your enemies win” 


Socrates: “ One should not regard the opinion of the many, but rather the opinion of “good people””


Socrate’s Argument for Remaining in Prison


  1. One should always live a good life.

  2. A good life is a just and honorable life.

  3. A just and honorable life requires that one should never intentionally harm another person even if they've harmed you.  

By escaping, socrates believes he would be harming the city itself (the law/ govt/ the people) 


2/5/25 


Crito 

Socrates argument for remaining in prison

  • One should always live a good life.

Just & Honorable

One should never intentionally harm anyone, even if they've harmed you. 

  • By escaping, he believes he would be harming the city ( the law/ the govt/ the people)

Reasons why Socrates Believes he owes his city

  1. The city is much like my parents ( the city is responsible for his birth)

  2. The city is the author of his education ( the city raised him)

  3. He could have left if the law was not to his liking, but he remained in Athens, and was therefore in contract with the city to obey its laws.


Phaedo 

The Day of Socrates Execution

  1. The Argument from Opposites 

  • For all opposites, they are generated out of their opposite


  • Death is generated from life, therefore life must be generated from death. 

  • Reincarnation Theory of the Soul 

  1. Theory of Recollection

  • All knowledge is recollected.

  • There is not learning, things are simply remembered. 

3.

There are 2 types of existence 

  1. Seen and Changing 

  2. Unseen and Unchanging- the world forms ( the world of being)

Socratic View on Life and Law

  • Good Life According to Socrates

    • Socrates believes in living a good life characterized by justice and honor.

    • Essential principle: One should never intentionally harm another person, regardless of circumstances.

    • For Socrates, a just life cannot include actions that harm others, including breaking the law.

  • Escape as Harm

    • Socrates argues that by escaping from prison, he would be harming Athens (government and laws).

    • Laws are central to the existence of a city; disregarding them leads to a lack of stability and justice.

    • If all individuals mistrust laws, chaos (anarchy) ensues, leading to societal breakdown.

Discussion on Obeying Law

  • Debate on Socrates' Argument

    • The class opens a debate on whether one should always obey the law, regardless of its fairness or morality.

    • Instances of speeding discussed; ethical implications of minor law-breaking questioned.

    • Recognition that some laws can be unjust (e.g., laws against sodomy in the past).

  • Challenging Unjust Laws

    • Socrates does not provide exceptions. He insists that breaking the law undermines justice and stability.

    • Students argue that unjust laws must be confronted, discussing civil disobedience and the social contract.

Loyalty to the State

  • Reasons to Stay in Athens

    • Socrates believes he owes Athens for his existence and upbringing:

      1. The city allowed his parents to marry and thus gave him life.

      2. He was educated by the city, benefiting from its laws and systems.

      3. As a long-term resident, he engaged with the laws, thus entering an implied social contract to obey.

  • Society versus Individual

    • Socrates’ notion of loyalty raises questions about the extent of one's obligation to the state even amidst injustice.

    • The analogy with parental loyalty suggests an expectation to follow laws, even if they are detrimental to one’s well-being.

Reclaiming Justice

  • Passive versus Active Resistance

    • Discussion on whether inaction in the face of unjust laws equates to perpetuating harm and injustice.

    • Socrates might lean towards peaceful methods (argument, petitioning) for change rather than rebellion or violence.

  • Finding Balance

    • Students feel torn between loyalty to the state and the ethical obligation to fight against unjust laws.

Examination Context

  • Writing Paper on Socratic Argument

    • Students encouraged to assess whether Socrates' view on obeying laws is valid.

    • Potential pitfalls in arguments stressing truthfulness to oneself versus morally justified rebellion.

    • Emphasis on understanding Socratic principles, obligation to one’s city, and their implications.

Final Thoughts on Philosophy

  • Nature of Knowledge and Truth

    • Socrates’ theories touch upon knowledge acquisition; he posits that true knowledge is not learned but remembered (Theory of Recollection).

    • Concepts (like truth, justice) exist in a realm beyond this physical world, influencing human behavior and thought.

  • Philosophical Exploration

    • Encourages critical thinking about historical injustices and how to deal with laws that conflict with moral beliefs.

    • Students advised to be prepared for exams by correlating key philosophical arguments with respective thinkers.