Term
| What was Plato's explanation of reality? |
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Definition
- our perception is an imperfect representation of true form
- knowledge and the reason for all things exist in a superior reality
- we recall knowledge as previous experience from superior reality, where we exist before birth and after death
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Term
| What is Aristotle's explanation of reality? |
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Definition
- the reason for all objects lies in its substance
- knowledge of an object's substance comes from the 4 causes
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Term
| What is the Atomist explanation of reality? |
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Definition
- the reason for all objects in atoms that make up the object
- atoms are invisible and infinite in number, and are the smallest objects
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Term
| Who are the main Atomist philosophers? |
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Definition
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Term
| What are Aristotle's 4 causes? |
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Definition
- Material: what the object is made of (wood/brick)
- Formal: what the object is made into (blueprint/structure)
- Efficient: what/who the object is made by (builder)
- Final: what the object is made for (purpose)
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Term
| How are the Atomist's and Aristotle's explanations of reality different from that of Plato? |
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Definition
- Aristotle/Atomist: the reason for an object lies within the object
- Plato: the reason for an object is outside of the object, in superior reality
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Term
| How are the explanations of reality of Plato, Aristotle and the Atomists alike? |
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Definition
- Superior reality, atoms, and substance are all intangible and invisible
- All concepts, products of our imagination, and come from our ability to think abstractly
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Term
| Who are the Pre-Socratic philosophers? |
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Definition
The Milesians
- Thales
- Anaximander
- Anaximenes
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Term
| What did the Milesians' theories have in common? |
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Definition
| The belief that all objects have a single element in common |
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Term
| What is the theory of Thales? |
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Definition
| Believed that all things are made from water |
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Term
| What is the theory of Anaximander? |
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Definition
| Believed that all objects are made from air |
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Term
| What is the theory of Anaximenes? |
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Definition
| Believed all objects are made from apeiron, a limitless and neutral element |
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Term
| What was the theory of Pythagoras? |
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Definition
| Everything is connected through the stability of numbers and patterns |
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Term
| What was the theory of Heraclitus? |
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Definition
| Everything is connected through instability and constant change |
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Term
| What idea gave birth to the Classical period of philosophy? |
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Definition
| Plato's recognition of abstractions in our daily thinking, and first use of abstract thinking intentionally |
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Term
| How are the Pre-Socratic and Classical periods of philosophy different? |
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Definition
- Early philosophers based their theories on what can be observed through the five senses
- Classical philosophers believed all things were connected through something intangible and invisible, that could not be discovered by our five senses
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Term
| How are the Pre-Socratic and Classical periods of philosophy alike? |
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Definition
| Both used abstractions in their theories |
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Term
| What are the three subject matters of philosophy? |
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Definition
- Ontology
- Anthropology
- Epistemology
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Term
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Definition
- theory of being
- branch of metaphysics that studies the nature of existence
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Term
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Definition
- theory of human beings
- science that deals with the origins, physical and cultural development, biological characteristics, social customs, and beliefs of humankind
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Term
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Definition
- theory of knowledge
- branch of philosophy that investigates the origin, nature, methods and limits of human knowledge
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Term
| Which is the most accurate subject matter of philosophy and why? |
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Definition
- Epistemology
- Ontology and Anthropology are investigated by all of the natural and social sciences combined
- Too much subject matter
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Term
| What are Plato's four stages of cognition? |
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Definition
- Imagining: images, reflections, shadows
- Beliefs: visible and recognizable objects
- Thoughts: first things we learn through our intellect alone
- Understanding/Complete Knowledge: ideas, ultimate principles, true forms
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Term
| How are Plato's four stages of cognition divided in two levels? |
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Definition
- Lower Level: Imagining, Beliefs - based on our five senses, no true knowledge
- Higher Level: Thoughts, Understanding - requires the use of abstract thinking outside of our senses
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Term
| What are five types of abstractions as defined by Plato? |
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Definition
- Definitions
- Standards of Measurement and Appraisal
- Unchangeable or Immutable Things
- Timeless Truths
- One thing of many things v. One thing over many things
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