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Metaphysics
Early greek metaphysics
26
Philosophy
Undergraduate 1
02/20/2017

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Term
Problem of change for the Milesians
Definition
How can things change and yet some feature of it remain the same through change? What is that matter or “substratum” out of which things come to exist and which persists throughout a lifetime of development?
Term
What is a “first principle”?
Definition
They were looking for mechanisms in nature that would explain change and how it worked, and they assumed three things: (1) there must be underlying principles that caused all the different phenomena in nature (2) there was only one such fundamental principle (referred to as “the first principle” or arche), and (3) that principle was a material principle (i.e., something composed of matter). (Materialism)
Term
What kind of features did the Milesians think a first principle should have?
Definition
The First Principle (arche) must:

(a) explain why x can change (move/be altered) and yet remain the same in some way (i.e., the same object can persist through changes),

(b) must have its own internal principle of motion/change (otherwise it wouldn’t be the explanation we seek).
Term
What was Thales’ first principle?
issues?
Definition
Water
issues:One problem with this suggestion: each element has its own nature so it can’t become a radically different thing (like fire). (Fire and water were thought to be opposites which can destroy one another.)
Term
What was Anaximenes first principle?
Definition
the first principle must be something other than four elements, something with an indefinite nature (something that can become all things, which the elements cannot do).

“The Indefinite” – metaphysical principle postulated on basis of rational argumentation rather than empirical observation. Substratum of all observable things is itself something unobservable and completely unlike observable things (i.e., has an indefinite nature).
Term
What is the Theory of Flux?
(3 points)
Definition
by Heraclitus:
1. everything is constantly changing
2. Opposite things are identical
3. Everything is and is not at the same time
Term
What basic principle does Heralitus's theory of flux deny?
Definition
The Principle of Non-Contradiction
Term
What method of inquiry does Parmenides "way of truth" depend on?
Definition
The true nature of reality is revealed by purely rationalistic inquiry
Term
What method of inquiry does Parmenides "way of opinion" depend on?
Definition
appearances
the way nature appears to us based on sense-perception, which is deceptive
Term
What is Parmenides "guiding principle" for his purely rational method of inquiry?
Definition
"Whatever is is and necessarily is. whatever is not is not and necessarily is not.
Term
What features does Parmenides characterization of Being have?
Definition
Being is in itself, on thing, eternally unchanging ungenerated whole and complete.
What is possible = what exists = what is conceivable by thought
Term
What does Parmenides characterization of Being have exclude?
Definition
Nothing is truly in a state of Becoming
there are no unrealized possibilities
qualitative change, and motion cannot occur
Term
How is death defined in the Phaedo?
Definition
the separation of the soul from the body
Term
How does Socrates characterize the relationship between the soul and the body?
Definition
The body is an obstacle to acquiring knowledge so we should welcome the separation of the soul and body.
Term
What does Socrates mean by learning is just recollection?
Definition
We recognize imperfect representations of forms in the natural world, but also understand that they are imperfect representations. to know this we must have some knowledge of the forms that we had before birth that we are remembering
Term
How does Socrates learning by recollection theory prove that the soul is immortal?
Definition
Recollection theory + cosmic recycling;
An ancient theory that all things come from their opposites in an endless cycle of regeneration.
Term
Why must we have an innate knowledge of the Forms?
Definition
There is no perfect representation of a Form in the natural world, but we still know about it. B/c this knowledge does not come from sense perception, we must have it from before we had senses ie b4 birth
Term
What are the Forms according to Plato?
Definition
the absolute, changeless, perfect essence of a thing. One exists for every property that can be shared, and gives unity to the set of things containing that property.
Term
Where are the forms located?
Why?
Definition
The intelligible realm
the sensible realm is in a sate of constant flux, but the forms must be eternally unchanging
Term
features of the intelligible realm vs sensible realm
Definition
intelligible:
Forms perceived by reason alone
unchanging
really real
Sensible:
objects of sense perception
a world of flux
imperfect copies of forms
seemingly real
Term
What do Aristotles categories represent?
Definition
Categories are ways of carving up reality into the most basic categories of human thought and expression.
Term
What is a substance?
Definition
Substances retain their identity through change.
Primary = individual things
Secondary = classes or kinds of things
Term
How are natural objects different from artificial ones?
Definition
Natural objects = have an innate impulse to change or alter themselves in some way
Artificial = no innate impulse; are not the source of their own production of any changes that occur to them
Term
What two components make up all primary substances?
Definition
1. Matter = material a thing is made out of
2. Form = the principle that structures the matter & gives things qualities/behaviors. What brings an object into existence
Term
How do Plato's forms differ from Aristotle's forms?
Definition
Aristotles are internal principles. Can exist in the natural world despite change bc the world changes in predictable ways structured by these forms.
Term
What is teleology?
Definition
The idea that many of the activities of objects in the natural world are done in the sake of achieving a goal.
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