Philosphy

Question 1

Rationalism

Answer 1

The view that the primary source of knowledge is reason

Question 2

Empiricism

Answer 2

The idea that observations via our senses leads us to understanding of the world

Question 3

Reason

Answer 3

Using logical thought in order to reach conclusions

Question 4

A-priori Knowldege

Answer 4

Knowledge which is not dependant on experience can be known prior to experience

Question 5

A-priori Knowldege example

Answer 5

Triangles have three sides

Question 6

A-posteriori knowledge

Answer 6

Knowledge which is dependent on sense experience, can only be known after sense experience I.e it must be investigated

Question 7

A-posteriori knowledge Example

Answer 7

I know the Sun will set this evening because it always has.

Question 8

Plato

Answer 8

Great Greek Philosp

Question 9

Plato’s understanding of reality

Answer 9

Plato believed that there was a greater reality beyond the world we experience
He believed A-PRIORI REASONING was the key to unlocking the reality.

Question 10

Forms

Answer 10

The name Plato gives to ideal concepts that exist in reality

Question 11

Plato’s theory of the Forms (World of the Forms)

Answer 11

In the real World
Each Form is one single thing
They are known by the intellect or reason
They are eternal
They are non-physical
They are unchanging
They are perfect

Question 12

Particulars

Answer 12

The name Plato gives to the objects in the EMPIRICAL WORLD (our world) which are imperfect copies of Forms

Question 13

The Form of the Good

Answer 13

The ULTIMATE FORM according to Plato.
The perfection and unchanging state of Forms come from THE FORM OF THE GOOD.

Question 14

Forms/ Particulars Relationship

Answer 14

Particulars are the objects in our world
They are the IMPERFECT IMITATIONS of the FORMS
They are constantly changing
And are Physical

Question 15

Aristotle

Answer 15

Student of Plato
Great Greek Philosopher

Question 16

Aristotle understanding of reality

Answer 16

Aristotle believed the world him around was the real world unlike Plato.
He used EMPIRICAL methods and A-POSTERIORI KNOWLEDGE to prove this

Question 17

Potentiality

Answer 17

A possibility or capacity to be something

Question 18

Actuality

Answer 18

Potential being achieved

Question 19

The theory of Causation [The Four Causes] Aristotle

Answer 19

Aristotle believed there were four causes that caused the motion of potentiality to actuality

Question 20

Material Cause

Answer 20

The thing /substance it is made of

Question 21

Material Cause Example

Answer 21

The bronze of a statue

Question 22

Formal Cause

Answer 22

The structure/form or shape of the object

Question 23

Formal Cause example

Answer 23

Spreadsheet plan for a building

Question 24

Efficient Cause

Answer 24

The “mover”/“maker” which has actualised the object or brought it about

Question 25

Efficient Cause Example

Answer 25

Builder for a House

Question 26

Final Cause

Answer 26

The aim or purpose of the object

Question 27

Final Cause example

Answer 27

A car is to drive

Question 28

Telos

Answer 28

The purpose The idea everything has a purpose

Question 29

Importance of the four Causes to Aristotle

Answer 29

Illustrates the world is the real world and the task of philosophers is to explain it The key to knowledge is through empirical method The world and all that is in it has a purpose ‘telos’

Question 30

Prime Mover Theory Aristotle

Answer 30

Aristotle believed that everything in the world is changing but that the Prime Mover causes all the change in the world

Question 31

Characteristics of the Prime Mover

Answer 31

Immutable- It does not Change It is ETERNAL as BEGINNING TO EXIST or CEASE TO EXIST would imply change Prime Mover is PERFECT as it has COMPLETE ACTUALITY and BECOMING or LOSING PERFECTION is CHANGE Prime Mover Is IMPASSIVE meaning it FEELS NO EMOTION as experiencing emotion would be a CHANGE of INNER STATE

Question 32

Prime Mover Non-Physical Aristotle

Answer 32

Aristotle argued that all physical objects are subject to change due to being made of matter he argued that Prime Mover must be NON-PHYSICAL

Question 33

Prime Mover and the world

Answer 33

Prime Mover UNAWARE of the World. As it can only think of perfect things to be perfect Therefore it must only think about itself The Prime Mover causes change through ATTRACTING ALL THINGS IN THE UNIVERSE -(they ALL DESIRE GOOD/PERFECTION)

Question 34

Prime Mover/ God Similarities

Answer 34

Aristotle refers to Prime Mover as God but not DEISTIC God (religious) The only similarities they have is ETERNAL PEFECT THE FIRST CAUSE

Question 35

Evaluation of Theory of Causation weaknesses

Answer 35

Aristotle claim that everything has purpose is SUBJECTIVE Purpose of Objects may depend on your POINT IF VIEW EXISTENTIALISTS would argue that humans have no PURPOSE they would argue that HUMANS EXISTENCE is a matter of chance

Question 36

Evaluation of Theory of Causation Strengths

Answer 36

Has the Strengths of Empirical Methods There is an ELEMENT GOWN COMMON SENSE in the Four Causes The Four Causes focus on purpose and this gives us a way of determining whether or not something is good or not

Question 37

Assessing Prime Mover Aristotle Strengths

Answer 37

It’s is more DIFFICULT TO believe in a God who is perfect if that being has changing emotions.. An IMPASSIVE Prime Mover seems more LOGICAL It avoids the TRADITIONAL PROBLEM OF EVIL

Question 38

Assessing Plato’s World of Forms Strengths

Answer 38

It can be used to support belief in ABSOLUTE UNCHANGING MORAL RULES. It is the ideal standard of property . Plato argues that humans have an INNATE ABILITY to recognise the FORMS that our SOULS knew before birth. It enabled us to recognise ONE over MANY

Question 39

Assessing Plato’s World of Forms Weaknesses

Answer 39

The Forms commit INFINITE REGRESS- if Plato argued that the Forms explain what objects have in common, what is stopping us from raising question what do the FORMS and PARTICULARS have in common which would REQUIRE a THIRD MAN Plato’s belief in UNCHANGING WORLD means new INVENTIONS and things EXTINCT would COEXIST in the WORLD OF THE FORMS Philosopher Wittgenstein- PLATO claims there is ONE OVER MANY. He argued that there is instead a SERIES of OVERLAPPING CHARACTERISTICS If there is a FORM for every NUMBER then there is an INFINITE NUMBER OF FORMS

Question 40

Contrasts Between Plato and Aristotle -Rationalism/Empiriscim

Answer 40

Plato favours use of REASON and A-PRIORI KNOWLEDGE over EMPIRICISM. He believed that our SOULS contained INNATE knowledge on THE FORMS PHILOSOPHICAL TRUTHS know through A-PRIORI Aristotle favoured use of SENSES (EMPIRICISM) over REASON. Does NOT BELIVE in INNATE IDEAS PHILOSOPHICAL TRUTHS squired through EMPIRICAL METHID USING OUR SENSES

Question 41

The Prime Mover/The Form of the Good Similarities

Answer 41

Both are Necessary beings ;eternal Both to some extent responsible for the EXISTENCE OF THINGS in the world Both are influential to the Christian idea of God

Question 42

The Prime Mover/The Form of the Good Differences

Answer 42

The Prime Mover has a conscious The Form of the Good is not conscious it is an idea

Question 43

Plato’s Cave analogy

Answer 43

Group of PRISONERS chained in a CAVE since birth. Can only see their SHADOW projected on the wall They believe the shadows are all that exists However if one prisoner was released and went outside the cave his sight would adjust and realise what the REAL OUTSIDE WORLD IS The cave is a SHADOW WORLD If the Prisoner returned to PASSON THE KNOWLEDGE He would not be BELIEVED

Question 44

Plato’s Cave analogy Meaning PART 1

Answer 44

The prisoners-ORDINARY PEOPLE IN THE WORLD the cave-Empirical World ( Our World) The chains - the SENSES THAT RESTRICT THE WAY WE EXPERIENCE THINGS The shadows- Our EVERYDAY SENSE EXPERIENCES the escapee(prisoner released)- PHILOSOPHER ABLE TO ACESS KNOWLEDGE the difficult ascent- ILLUSTRATION THAT THE ROAD TO PHILOSOPHICAL KNOWLEDGE IS HARD the outside world- THE REAL WORLD ‘WORLD OF THE FORMS’

Question 45

Plato’s Cave analogy Meaning Part 2

Answer 45

The sun- THE HIGHEST OF ALL FORM THE FORM OF THE GOOD The return to the cave - THE PHILOSOPHER ONCE ENLIGHTENED FEELS IT IS HIS DUTY to EDUCATE OTHERS The difficulty adjusting to darkness- ONCE PHILOSOPHER HAS THE TRUTH/KNOWLEDGE IT IS HARD TO EXPERIENCE THINGS LIKE AN ORDINARY PERSON the persecution given by the others prisoners- SOCRACTES EXECUTED BY LEADERS IN ATHENS FOR HIS TEACGINGS