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