Metaphysics > Midterm > Flashcards

Midterm Flashcards

(65 cards)

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1
Q

Aristotle’s definition of Metaphysics

A

The study of being qua being

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2
Q

Abstract Subject Matter

A

Generalization of the concrete subject matter; The type of thing in a Genus

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3
Q

Concrete subject matter

A

Physical, tangible entities; The specific things studied

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4
Q

Formal Intelligibility

A

The way something is done (e.g. qua being); How

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5
Q

Proper Subject Matter

A

The abstract subject and the formal intelligibility

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6
Q

Genus

A

A broad category of class that encompasses smaller, more specific categories called species

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7
Q

Species

A

The next specific category under Genus; The genus and differentia

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8
Q

Differentia

A

What distinguished a thing from another thing in the same genus

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9
Q

Substances as individual

A

Not shareable or universal

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10
Q

Substance as independent

A

Lacks the sort of dependence characteristic of a feature

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11
Q

Substance as unified

A

Acts as a single agent

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12
Q

Modally Essential

A

F is modally essential to S iff S cannot exist without F

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13
Q

Modally Accidental

A

F is modally accidental to S iff S can exist without F

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14
Q

Foundationally Essential

A

F is foundationally essential to S if F doesn’t rest on any prior feature of S and constitutes S at its most basic level

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15
Q

Foundationally Accidental

A

F is foundationally accidental to S if F rests on a prior feature of S

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16
Q

Test for Foundationality

A

Does anything explain F

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17
Q

Number of Essences

A

1 if it is foundational

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18
Q

Normativity and Essence

A

The essence of a thing provides grounding for should claims about a thing. An essence shows how a thing ought to be.

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19
Q

“Socrates is human” objection

A
  1. If the foundationality theory is true, then being human is not essential to Socrates (result of animality and rationality)
  2. It is not the case that being human is accidental to Socrates
  3. Therefore, it is not the case that the foundationality theory is true
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20
Q

Gorman’s reply to the “Socrates is human” obj.

A

Animality and rationality are not distinct features but aspects of the same feature.

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21
Q

Determinable

A

A type that contain sub-types

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22
Q

Determinate

A

A type that doesn’t contain sub-types

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23
Q

Endurantism

A

A substance exists as a whole existing through time

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24
Q

Perdurantism

A

A substance exists through time as having temporal parts that combine to make a whole

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25
Problem of Temporary Intrinsics
How can something be 2 opposite ways at 2 different times but still be the same thing
26
Temporal parts
A substance is made up of temporal slices across time
27
Substantial Change
A substance with prime matter 1 and form 1 changes to a substance with prime matter 1 and form 2
28
Accidental Change
A subject persists but its accidental qualities change
29
Form
An internal factor of principle, possessed by a substance, in virtue of which a thing is the way it is
30
Matter
That in virtue of which change is possible
31
Privation
The absence of the realization of a potentiality
32
General Theorem of Change
Change is the movement from potency to actuality; It requires potency and act | A thing must persist; A thing must cease; A thing must come to be
33
Subject
Matter and Form
34
Potentiality
The ability to be able to become something else
35
Actuality
The making real of a potency
36
Strict Identity
All characteristics of a thing are the same
37
Numerical Identity
One and the same thing
38
Principles of difference
The reason for distinction between things; Essential between 2 things of different species; Numerical: between 2 things of same species
39
Principles of Continuity
An entity can remain numerically the same over time even as its properties change
40
Arbitrary Parts
Verbal formulations of parts that correspond to no real parts
41
Whole-dependent Parts
Their being what they are is dependent upon their being part of the thing in question
42
Whole-independent Parts
They are what they are independently of whether they belong to the whole in question
43
Nihilism
No x's compose some y
44
Universalism
x's always compose some y
45
Bundle of Universals
Substances are bundles of universal features that just unite with each other
46
Bundle of Particulars
Substances are bundles of particular features that just unite with each other
47
Bare Substratum and Universals
Substances are universal features that attach to a bare substratum
48
Bare Substratum and Particulars
Substances are particular features that attach to a bare substratum
49
Obj. to Universal Bundle Theory
1. Two substances can be exactly alike 2. Two things that share all the same parts are one thing These are both acceptable but not together
50
Obj. to bundle of particulars
Features need to belong to something
51
Obj. to Universals with substratum
We are inclined to see features as instances, not universals
52
Obj. to particulars with substratum
Change is limitless
53
Thomistic view of features
Substances are constituted by their essences at the most basic level and further constituted by their accidents as existing in a less fundamental way
54
Agent Causation
An agent is the initiator behind the cause
55
Event Causation
An event is what causes
56
Humean Analysis of Causation
Causation is an illusion; We assume causality because of repeated same results; Causation is constant conjunction; Causation is our inner feeling of expectation, not some outer reality.
57
Counterfactual Analysis of Causation
If P were true, then Q would be true
58
Basic Action
An action an agent brings about without any intermediaries
59
3 Definitions of Chance
1. Ignorance of the efficient cause 2. Lack of efficient cause 3. Happening without design or expectation
60
Relative Chance
The proximate actors are unaware of the design or expectation, but someone might have designed it
61
Absolute chance
All secondary actors are unaware of the design or expectation, but some primary actor might have designed it
62
Total chance
Every actor is unaware of design or expectation; no one could have designed it
63
The 4 causes
Material: the matter being changed; Formal: the form being imparted; Efficient: The thing causing Final: That for which something is done
64
Active Potency
Influences the causation of the agent
65
Passive Potency
Influences the causation of the patient
Metaphysics
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