PHIL 201 : FINAL EXAM
47 Cards in this Set
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Argument
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A reasoned presentation of ideas with the aim to persuade someone of something.
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Soundness
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A deductively valid argument with all true premises
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Modus Ponens
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A --> B
A,
So, b
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Modus Tollens
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Way of denial
A --> B
not B
So not A
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Conjunction
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A
B
So A & B
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Simplification
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A & B
So, A OR So, B
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Hypothetical Syllogism
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A --> B
B--> C
So, A--> C
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Disjunctive Syllogism
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A v B
Not A
So, B
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2 Formal Fallacies=
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Affirming the consequent, and denying the antecedent
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Affirming the consequent
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A --> B
B
So, A
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Denying the Antecedent
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A --> B
Not A
So, Not B
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Entailment
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Sign: -->
Meaning: If, Then
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Disjunction
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Sign: V
Meaning: Either, or
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Conclusion
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Sign: &
Meaning: And
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Conjunction term
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Sign: *
Meaning: therefore
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Negation
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Sign: Not sign
Meaning: Not
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Nature of Counterexamples
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to test the validity and to construct an instance where the premise is true and the argument is false.
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Features of a sound argument
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Deductive validity
All true premises
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Truth in reference to knowledge
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We can't know a proposition that is not true
Truth is what corresponds to reality
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Belief in reference to knowledge
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We can't know that we can't believe
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Skeptics encourage us to be aware of
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appearance vs reality distinctions
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Descartes attempted to
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Construct a system of knowledge based on absolute certainty
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Scientific determinism
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1. no free will
2. freedom is uncaused
3. Universal causation is true
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Compatibilism
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1. we have free will
2. Freedom requires an inner cause
3. Universal causation is true
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Agency theory
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A free act is an act cause by an agent, where an agent is a person possessing the capacity of volition.
Every event is caused and has a long history
Believe in Big Bang theory
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Three challenges to Free Will
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1. Theological (foreknowledge)
2. Logical
3. Scientific/naturalism
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Principle of Universal Causation:
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Every event has a cause and there is a huge causal chain with a long history
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Challenges Walls poses for theological determinism
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1. Moral responsibility
2. Problem of Evil
3. Doctrine of damnation
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Psychological Egoism
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-Descriptive thesis
-We are all motivated by self-interest (counterexample- missionaries)
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Ethical Egoism
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-Prescriptive thesis
-How we ought to behave
-We should be motivated by self-interest alone
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Moral objectivism affirms
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The existence of universal moral facts
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Diversity Thesis
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Moral beliefs/standards/practices vary widely throughout the world and history
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Ethical relativism
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Whatever culture believes is morally right and good is morally right and good for that culture
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President who was an example of a psychological egoist
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Abe Lincoln
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What follows from the diversity thesis?
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Ethical relativism. This is crap though
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Definition of good
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Valuable.
Opposite: bad
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Definition of Right
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Obligatory
Opposite: bad not to do
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Difference between act and rule utilitarianism
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Act utilitarians try to maximize utility with every act
Rule utilitarians try to maximize utility by following the right rules
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Utilitarianism is:
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A Hedonistic theory.
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What does Kant say about moral motivation and its importance?
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-We act only on moral duty
-Only actions that are motivated by respect for the moral law possess moral worth
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Kant's categorical imperative
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"only act on those maxims consistently able to be willed to become universal laws."
We should always act in a way that we can will the maxim of the action to become a moral law.
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Virtue Theory
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Not just what we do, but who we are. It's who we are that's most important.
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Aristotle's list of virtues
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Courage, liberality, pride, friendliness, wittiness, etc.
-Humility is not mentioned
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Kant thought it was immoral to treat people:
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As if they were a means to ends
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Know the role of stories and narratives among virtue ethicists
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They inspire where moral truth is clear.
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Virtue theory inspired tests
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Publicity test: how would I feel if my contemplated actions were reported to the newspapers?
Mentor test: How would you feel if you were seen by your most revered mentor?
Role model test: What would my greatest role model do?
Mirror test: Can I do this and look with pride in the mirror?
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Aristotle thought all the virtues struck the right balance between:
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Extremes of excess and deficiency.
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PHIL 201: EXAM 2