Please answer the questions in short essey form.
1)Discuss the nature of the Metaphysics. Include a precise definition.
Discuss the various metaphysical positions, giving examples (using
individuals we have considered) whenever possible. How has the
relationship between sense perception and reality been viewed over
time?
2)Do the same for Epistemology and Axiology.
3)Why can it be said that the Milesian philosophers are the first real
philosophers? What important aspects of their thinking contribute to
the making of this statement? Indicate how they are different from the
older thinkers of history.
4)Discuss the nature and particulars of the cosmology of the Milesian
philosophers. How is their approach to the investigation of the
universe different from other cosmological speculation of the time?
5)Discuss the Principle of Causality. In what way does its discovery
and use contribute to the birth of philosophy and science?
6)Discuss the problem of Being/Becoming. What is the problem? In what
way do the philosophers we have discussed so far attempt to deal with
the problem?
7)Discuss the nature of Sophism and sophists. What are the important
differences between these individuals and the older philosophers?
8)In what way are the sophists responsible for the profound shift
which occurs in philosophy and science (in the first third of the 5th
century BC) from a purely objective philosophy to an essentially
subjective one?
The following is the reference. (Navia, L.E. The Adventure of
Philosophy)
METAPHYSICS (THEORIES OF REALITY)
A)Materialism – Everything that exists in the universe is, in the end,
physical (material). There is no independent reality apart from
matter.
B)Idealism – Reality is fundamentally non-material in character.
Matter is illusion.
1)Monism – Existence can be explained in terms of a SINGLE ultimate
substance (which can be material or non-material). There is but one
fundamental reality.
2)Dualism – Existence is explained in terms of TWO independent and
mutually irreducible substances.
3)Pluralism – Existence is explained in terms of a plurality of real
things (more than two kinds of ultimate substances).
EPISTENOLOGY (THEORIES OF KNOWLEDGE)
A)Relativism – There are no objective standards of truth; truth is a
relative phenomenon (TRUTH does not exist; it is an invention of the
human mind.)
B)Objectivism – Truth exists; there are objective standards of truth.
C)Skepticism – There is no certainty (even about this).
AXIOLOGY (THEORIES OF VALUE)
A)Ethics – Moral philosophy. It concerned with judgments of right or
wrong, good or evil, virtue or vice, etc.
1)Ethical Objectivism – There are objective standards of value; value
is real.
2)Ethical Subjectivism – There are no objective standards of value;
value is relative – an environment of the human mind.
B)Political Philosophy – Deals with political life, especially the
origin, nature, and value of the state including government and
leadership. It is concerned with justice and the nature of justice.
C)Aesthetics – Deals with beauty and ugliness, especially with taste
and possible standards of value in judging beauty. |
