PHIl 230: Final Exam Questions With Complete Solutions
what is philosophy Correct Answers -love of wisdom
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-historically rooted attempt to understand world
-using reason to inquire into certain general questions about
world generally
-by looking at specific subfields of philosophy
specific subfields of philosophy Correct Answers 1.
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metaphysics= study of nature of reality
2. epistemology= study of knowledge and rational belief
3. ethics= study of proper human conduct
4. logic= study of proper forms of reasoning
5. political philosophy= philosophical method applied to
questions of government
6. aesthetics= study of beauty and art
skepticism Correct Answers a position in EPISTEMOLOGY
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(study of knowledge and rational belief)
the view that KNOWLEDGE in some general domain of belief
is IMPOSSIBLE or very unlikely
justification Correct Answers =a belief is justified if and only
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if it is formed in such a way that it is likely to be true
possible to have true belief that is nevertheless justified
possible to have justified belief that is nevertheless false
sextus empiricus Correct Answers -around 200 AD
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-accepts widespread skepticism because it is path to happiness
,-know almost nothing about him other than he was doctor
-wrote 3 books, outlines of skepticism
rene descartes Correct Answers -1500-1600s
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-says skepticism is devastating to sciences, but offers solution
(skepticism is false)
-born in la haye france. early figure in scientific revolution
-published metaphysics and epistemological masterpiece
meditations on first philosophy
-wanted philosophical works to be foundation for his physics
and weapon to destroy aristotle's physics
david hume Correct Answers 1700s
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widespread skepticism has no philosophical solution. says
psychologically impossible to live skeptically.
2 main types of philosophies arising from hellenistic period
(post-aristotle) Correct Answers 1. dogmatic
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2. skeptical
dogmatic philosophies Correct Answers knowledge or at least
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probable belief is possible on important philosophical questions
1. epicureanism
-all objects composed of atoms
-only good things are one's own pleasure and absence of pain
-best life is when pain is minimized (get rid of fear of death)
-three criteria for truth: sense perceptions (senses accurately
perceive world), pre-conceptions (apply universal idea and apply
with reason), feeling (pleasure and pain allow us to make
judgements of what to pursue)
2. stoicism
,-all that exists is material universe, but entire universe is body of
God and everything inside of it is part of God's body
-good life for human is live in accordance with nature, or
universe, or God (let reason rule life)
-criteria of truth is cognitive impression with 3 conditions.
successfully represents object, represents object accurately,
could not represent non-actual object
skeptical philosophies Correct Answers advocate suspension of
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belief on all or most important philosophical questions
1. academic
-skeptical school came from platos academy after death
-according to sextus, academics and dogmatics have reached a
definitive conclusion. academics practiced negative dogmatism=
philosophical investigation has revealed knowledge is
impossible.
-but in reality, academics held wide range of views ranging from
relativism to epistemologies closely resembling pyrrhonian
skepticism
-academic skeptics lack ethical goal of TRANQUILITY
2. pyrrhonian
-skeptical persuasin where one suspends judgement on all
unclear matters of investigation
-investigation has neither revealed truth, nor led to conclusion
that truth cannot be reached. skeptic still investigating
-natural effect of suspense is tranquility, the good life
-skeptic assents passively to things as they appear
-suspend judgement even on the academic claim that nothing
can be known
, skepticism according to sextus Correct Answers -skepticism is
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an ability "persuasion"
-first they set things in opposition: propose 2 or more conflicting
propositions
-sometimes, propositions will be equipollent= neither is more
convincing than the other
-results in suspension of judgement= neither affirm or deny
conflicting propositions. "standstill of intellect"
-suspension of judgement naturally leads to tranquility
-skeptics do NOT hold beliefs- one can assent to appearances
without belief
belief Correct Answers =assent to an appearance that is an
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passively, without taking a stand on the nature of the things that
appear. claims that APPEARANCES ARE
UNCONTROVERSIAL
4 ways in which skeptics live in accordance with everyday
observances without holding opinions Correct Answers passive
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assent according to sextus
1. assent to natural operations such as perception and cognition
2. submitting to forceful feelings such as hunger and thirst
3. follow laws and customs of one's cultures and nation
4. instruction in kinds of expertise
objections to passive assent model Correct Answers 1. morally
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irresponsible to passively assent to customs and laws of one's
culture
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