Thank you Nicole for sending me the in-class notes! Here it is for all to enjoy!
Philosophy Exam Review (Long paper)
Question 1. New opinions are always suspected, and usually opposed, without any other reason but because they are not already common”
Theories, appropriate vocabulary and philosophers, explain the validity of Locke's words (metaphysics/epistemology)
Idealism- that says reality consists of ideas in the minds of people who create their own reality, the idea of a person is right in their own mind, and anything that opposes it would be wrong and therefore rejected
Seen in Religion, mainly Christians, values for example sins, some people have different views on what a
sin is and what it isn't and what should be and shouldn't be.
St. Aquinas would back up this theory as a Christian philosopher who wrote the five proof of God
How do we know that these ideas are reality right in the first place?
Question 2. “We make wars so that we may live in peace” ( metaphysics)
Explaining the essence of being human with that quote.
Cosmological; everything comes from something else, for something to get peace, you must sacrifice some peace. You need the opposite side of the spectrum to know what good and bad. Continuum...
Free will-ism; free to live in peace, give a little get a lot, give up something to gave something
Narrative theory; actions of war have better outcome then peace.
Question 3. Are there some things that human can never know?
Rationalism; Descartes, Doubt
Empiricism; Locke; you experience to know, and because you can't experience everything therefore you can’t know everything.
Brain in a Vat; we can't know anything because we don’t know
Matrix; reality vs perception, You see what is in front of you but you don't know if it is really there
Question 4
What moral obligations do parents have to their children? Point of view of at least two other schools of
ethical thought.
Consequentialism refers to those moral theories which hold that the consequences of a particular action form the basis for any valid moral judgment on that action. Thus, from a consequentialist standpoint, a morally right action is one that produces a good outcome, or consequence, basically, "the ends justify the means". A parent's moral obligation to their children is to craft them into a competent individual who has an equal opportunity in life compared to everyone else. Thus, if the kid's upbringing will have a negative effect on their development, from a consequentialist's standpoint, it would be morally wrong.
Deontological ethics is the approach to [ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethics ]ethics that judges the morality of an action based on the action's adherence to a rule or rules. Opposite to consequentialism, deontologists believe that the character of the decision matters more than the consequence. Therefore if they believed that having children was a morally correct thing then they would not care about whether or not you
Question 5. Invasion of the Body-snatchers (Ethics)
Thomas Malthus; population control.
The five deadly ill people are bringing down society, because they are not contributing anything thing to society, nature be allowed to take its course and the people should just die! (Peacefully as it is
there right...though Malthus would not care)
Kant; Do whatever the moral agent says, Meaning it is not up to the doctor to make this decision it is
up to the pizza guy, and he has the liberty to decided what he felt was morally right to him.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Exam: Part A examples
1. "There will be no end to the troubles of states, or of humanity itself, till philosophers become kings in this world, or till ..." -Plato
Agree or disagree?
Agree:
- gov't link: objective because of need of evidence (philosophers are subjective)
- Locke: use senses (empirical evidence used)
- Utilitarianism: greatest amount of happiness for the greatest number of people, philosophers would look out for more people than the gov't (ex: Fort Erie has closed hospital rooms to save money)
Disagree:
- nothing can be known, therefore a ruler is not any more knowledgable (Pyrros)
2. What is the nature of being human?
- theism: believing that a supreme being created everything and is interested in the well-being of its creations; need for supreme being to give purpose to life
- Locke: scope of intelligence separtes us from other animals, as do reason and reflection (Locke does allow for non-humans to fall into the criteria of being "human")
- deism: a god created the world but does not interfere with it's running; therefore we can make our own decisions because there is a belief that we are created in God's image, link to personhood because we are keepers
- Descartes: use of imagination (thoughts and decisions separate us from animal)
- pragmitism: acquisition of knowledge, looking for more (John Dewey)
3. "The opposite of love is not hate ..." (Wiesel)
Comment on and defend/reject this statement ...
Defend statement:
- Descartes: substance theory (cannot be changed - being)
- Hume: Bundle (objects in purse); perception of experiences in life that change you, need to experience it in order for it to affect you
- metaphysical continuum: perception of experience is not indifference
- Monism: Spinoza realties exist of one particular thing and everything else is an expression of that one thing (God is the one thing, everything branches off it); in this case indifference is the one thing that everything branches off of
Agree or disagree?
Agree:
- gov't link: objective because of need of evidence (philosophers are subjective)
- Locke: use senses (empirical evidence used)
- Utilitarianism: greatest amount of happiness for the greatest number of people, philosophers would look out for more people than the gov't (ex: Fort Erie has closed hospital rooms to save money)
Disagree:
- nothing can be known, therefore a ruler is not any more knowledgable (Pyrros)
2. What is the nature of being human?
- theism: believing that a supreme being created everything and is interested in the well-being of its creations; need for supreme being to give purpose to life
- Locke: scope of intelligence separtes us from other animals, as do reason and reflection (Locke does allow for non-humans to fall into the criteria of being "human")
- deism: a god created the world but does not interfere with it's running; therefore we can make our own decisions because there is a belief that we are created in God's image, link to personhood because we are keepers
- Descartes: use of imagination (thoughts and decisions separate us from animal)
- pragmitism: acquisition of knowledge, looking for more (John Dewey)
3. "The opposite of love is not hate ..." (Wiesel)
Comment on and defend/reject this statement ...
Defend statement:
- Descartes: substance theory (cannot be changed - being)
- Hume: Bundle (objects in purse); perception of experiences in life that change you, need to experience it in order for it to affect you
- metaphysical continuum: perception of experience is not indifference
- Monism: Spinoza realties exist of one particular thing and everything else is an expression of that one thing (God is the one thing, everything branches off it); in this case indifference is the one thing that everything branches off of
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Declaration of Human Rights
1. Choose three philosophers.
2. Write two declarations from the point of view of your chosen philosophers.
3. Brainstorm possible societal links.
4. Write a paragraph otlining why your article links to your person.
5. Outline the tangible societal link.
EX:
My Declaration of Human Rights
Article 1
Every person has the right to the conditions necessary to subsist. This includes the right to food, shelter, clothing, and medicine. – The Buddha
Article 2
Every person has the right to their choice of religion – or choice of none - as well as the freedom to safely practice their beliefs. –The Buddha
Buddha and modern Buddhists follow a philosophy of equality, peace, comfort and temperance. This makes them perfect candidates for formulating a declaration of human rights. As well, they have a admirable tolerance and acceptance with people of all creeds; everyone deserves basic rights.2
The first article covers the bare minimum required for human survival. Although obviously not every person is a Buddhist, the minimum requirements preached by the Buddha should be available to all. As mentioned, Buddha stated that the conditions necessary to live a comfortable life are food, shelter, clothing, and medicine. While it is totally acceptable to indulge ones self further the inhabitants of society should never be denied those 4 conditions.1
The second article is one that Buddhists are well respected for. Buddha realized that not everyone has the same inclinations and beliefs, and so he taught a variety of methods of practice; variation depended on the beliefs of the person. Following the Buddha the Dali Lama has acknowledged the wonder of a world filled with so many religions. It is a Buddhist understanding that just as one food will not appeal to everybody, one religion will not satisfy everyone’s needs. Thus it is common, even required, for a Buddhist to allow different beliefs to exist; the world benefits from such a ranging selection of beliefs to choose.3
____________________
Article 5- Thomas Aquinas
No one shall be held in slavery or servitude
Thomas Aquinas, Italian philosopher and Christian theologian, was the first to combine the idea of God with reasoning, happiness and virtue. He believed that people could only achieve perfection by using their reason to know God. Thomas said an action is considered moral if God accepts it. “What God deems right is right and what he deems wrong is wrong.”(Aquinas) He believed an act is good or bad depending on whether it contributes to or deters us from our human end, which is happiness.
How it relates to today
On Wednesday November 25th, 2009 federal prosecutors reported that they discovered an infant of a Mexican prostitute. However, this lady was not a prostitute by choice; a New York couple that resided in Brooklyn forced her. She was smuggled to the U.S by these two people. They kept her in a home where she was treated horribly. She was made to do disgusting things. On top of that, she was beaten so frequently with bricks and wooden boards that her body was covered with scars and bruises. Thomas Aquinas would disapprove of this event because not only did the couple break the law but they also broke one of the ten commandants, “Thou shalt not steal.” This New York couple stole the Mexican lady’s innocence and dignity and they stole her away from her country and family. Essentially, they stole her life without killing her.
2. Write two declarations from the point of view of your chosen philosophers.
3. Brainstorm possible societal links.
4. Write a paragraph otlining why your article links to your person.
5. Outline the tangible societal link.
EX:
My Declaration of Human Rights
Article 1
Every person has the right to the conditions necessary to subsist. This includes the right to food, shelter, clothing, and medicine. – The Buddha
Article 2
Every person has the right to their choice of religion – or choice of none - as well as the freedom to safely practice their beliefs. –The Buddha
Buddha and modern Buddhists follow a philosophy of equality, peace, comfort and temperance. This makes them perfect candidates for formulating a declaration of human rights. As well, they have a admirable tolerance and acceptance with people of all creeds; everyone deserves basic rights.2
The first article covers the bare minimum required for human survival. Although obviously not every person is a Buddhist, the minimum requirements preached by the Buddha should be available to all. As mentioned, Buddha stated that the conditions necessary to live a comfortable life are food, shelter, clothing, and medicine. While it is totally acceptable to indulge ones self further the inhabitants of society should never be denied those 4 conditions.1
The second article is one that Buddhists are well respected for. Buddha realized that not everyone has the same inclinations and beliefs, and so he taught a variety of methods of practice; variation depended on the beliefs of the person. Following the Buddha the Dali Lama has acknowledged the wonder of a world filled with so many religions. It is a Buddhist understanding that just as one food will not appeal to everybody, one religion will not satisfy everyone’s needs. Thus it is common, even required, for a Buddhist to allow different beliefs to exist; the world benefits from such a ranging selection of beliefs to choose.3
____________________
Article 5- Thomas Aquinas
No one shall be held in slavery or servitude
Thomas Aquinas, Italian philosopher and Christian theologian, was the first to combine the idea of God with reasoning, happiness and virtue. He believed that people could only achieve perfection by using their reason to know God. Thomas said an action is considered moral if God accepts it. “What God deems right is right and what he deems wrong is wrong.”(Aquinas) He believed an act is good or bad depending on whether it contributes to or deters us from our human end, which is happiness.
How it relates to today
On Wednesday November 25th, 2009 federal prosecutors reported that they discovered an infant of a Mexican prostitute. However, this lady was not a prostitute by choice; a New York couple that resided in Brooklyn forced her. She was smuggled to the U.S by these two people. They kept her in a home where she was treated horribly. She was made to do disgusting things. On top of that, she was beaten so frequently with bricks and wooden boards that her body was covered with scars and bruises. Thomas Aquinas would disapprove of this event because not only did the couple break the law but they also broke one of the ten commandants, “Thou shalt not steal.” This New York couple stole the Mexican lady’s innocence and dignity and they stole her away from her country and family. Essentially, they stole her life without killing her.
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Chapter 13 Notes
Notes from today!
Chapter 13: Review
Three main questions:
1. What is a good life
2. What is a good person
3. What is the right thing to do
Buddhism:
· Gautama (the Buddha), 6th century India
· Must follow eightfold path to reach nirvana (enlightenment)
· Live in harmony with self and nature
· Virtues such as non-violence and patience enables people to get closer to enlightenment
· Right to choice essential
· Why is Buddhism important in ethics?
Confucianism:
· People are not individuals but part of a whole
· The whole can include family and community
Taoism: History and Differences/Similarities to Confucianism
· A virtue ethic
· If you live a good life you display the 5 main virtues; kindness, righteousness, decorum, wisdom (integrity), faithfulness
· Similar to Confucianism in that a person is a part of a whole (community and family but also a member of the universe)
· Focus on defining and cultivating a harmonious society
· Lao-tzu, 6th century BCE, China
Hedonism:
· A philosophy that emphasizes that the good life is one devoted to pleasure
Aristotle and Virtue Ethicism:
· Moral choices are decided by the character of the person rather than by the actions of the person and the results they garner
· Defined as using the role of character in defining moral actions
· Must act according to right reason; rational part of person must work with irrational part to decide a middle path between the two extremes of virtue (golden mean)
Aquinas and virtue ethicism:
· Christian theologian who said that people can act good and perfect only if they use their reason to know God
Ross and virtue ethicism:
· 20th century English philosopher
· had 7 virtues that were more than virtues. They were duties or obligations of humans towards others
· 7 virtues are: fidelity, reparation, gratitude, justice, beneficence (improving the conditions of others), self-improvement, non-maleficence (not hurting others)
Existentialism:
· Kierkegaard: 19th century Danish philosopher
· Authentic choices are essential to humans
· Must have consistency of perception, thought and action
· Kierkegaard focuses on the existence of the individual
· Nietzche: 19th century German philosopher
· make own moral choices instead of deciding based on the ideas of the masses
· Said that faith in God was disappearing, therefore people must determine their own values
· Sartre: 20th century French philosopher
· Became an atheist as a result of watching the horrors of WWII
· Said that no master plan or planner governs human existence
· Defined as a movement that focuses on individual autonomy and the necessity of making reasoned decisions for oneself
· Theory has been disputed recently as complete personal freedom could/may lead to anarchy
Divine Command:
· Defined as: a theory that says that right and wrong are defined by the commands of a supreme being
· In every religion (basically)
· Always being debated because it is favoured by the gods, or do the gods favour it because it is right?
Utilitarianism:
· The greatest amount of happiness for the greatest number of people is the reason for any moral decision
· All decisions are moral
· Jeremy Bentham (18th century English philosopher)
· John Stuart Mill (Bentham’s godson) added to Bentham’s ideas
· A chief strength of utilitarianism is that it encourages choice and discussion when making decisions
· A critique of utilitarianism is that the words happiness (pleasure, good) can be interpreted in many different ways
Kantian Ethicism:
· Immanuel Kant (German philosopher)
· Moral choices must be judged, not by the consequences, but by the good will of the moral agent
Chapter 13: Review
Three main questions:
1. What is a good life
2. What is a good person
3. What is the right thing to do
Buddhism:
· Gautama (the Buddha), 6th century India
· Must follow eightfold path to reach nirvana (enlightenment)
· Live in harmony with self and nature
· Virtues such as non-violence and patience enables people to get closer to enlightenment
· Right to choice essential
· Why is Buddhism important in ethics?
Confucianism:
· People are not individuals but part of a whole
· The whole can include family and community
Taoism: History and Differences/Similarities to Confucianism
· A virtue ethic
· If you live a good life you display the 5 main virtues; kindness, righteousness, decorum, wisdom (integrity), faithfulness
· Similar to Confucianism in that a person is a part of a whole (community and family but also a member of the universe)
· Focus on defining and cultivating a harmonious society
· Lao-tzu, 6th century BCE, China
Hedonism:
· A philosophy that emphasizes that the good life is one devoted to pleasure
Aristotle and Virtue Ethicism:
· Moral choices are decided by the character of the person rather than by the actions of the person and the results they garner
· Defined as using the role of character in defining moral actions
· Must act according to right reason; rational part of person must work with irrational part to decide a middle path between the two extremes of virtue (golden mean)
Aquinas and virtue ethicism:
· Christian theologian who said that people can act good and perfect only if they use their reason to know God
Ross and virtue ethicism:
· 20th century English philosopher
· had 7 virtues that were more than virtues. They were duties or obligations of humans towards others
· 7 virtues are: fidelity, reparation, gratitude, justice, beneficence (improving the conditions of others), self-improvement, non-maleficence (not hurting others)
Existentialism:
· Kierkegaard: 19th century Danish philosopher
· Authentic choices are essential to humans
· Must have consistency of perception, thought and action
· Kierkegaard focuses on the existence of the individual
· Nietzche: 19th century German philosopher
· make own moral choices instead of deciding based on the ideas of the masses
· Said that faith in God was disappearing, therefore people must determine their own values
· Sartre: 20th century French philosopher
· Became an atheist as a result of watching the horrors of WWII
· Said that no master plan or planner governs human existence
· Defined as a movement that focuses on individual autonomy and the necessity of making reasoned decisions for oneself
· Theory has been disputed recently as complete personal freedom could/may lead to anarchy
Divine Command:
· Defined as: a theory that says that right and wrong are defined by the commands of a supreme being
· In every religion (basically)
· Always being debated because it is favoured by the gods, or do the gods favour it because it is right?
Utilitarianism:
· The greatest amount of happiness for the greatest number of people is the reason for any moral decision
· All decisions are moral
· Jeremy Bentham (18th century English philosopher)
· John Stuart Mill (Bentham’s godson) added to Bentham’s ideas
· A chief strength of utilitarianism is that it encourages choice and discussion when making decisions
· A critique of utilitarianism is that the words happiness (pleasure, good) can be interpreted in many different ways
Kantian Ethicism:
· Immanuel Kant (German philosopher)
· Moral choices must be judged, not by the consequences, but by the good will of the moral agent
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