Explain Aristotle’s theory that virtue is a mean between two extremes give an example
Virtue according to Aristotle virtue is a disposition to behave in a certain manner that is responsive to comparable situations i.e. behaving in specified manner. Virtue therefore is as a cause of constantly repeated actions that is an aggregate of the behavior. Example include courage which may be a mean of the result of cowardice and impulsiveness.
Explain Anselm’s Ontological Argument
Anselm’s ontological Argument supports the theory of God’s existence by providing proof on the same. Anselm is specific in that he nullifies the theory of experience on justification of God’s existence through logic. His logical standpoints to refute the ‘fools’ that claim that God does not exist include the understanding of the claim of God’s existence and the fools understanding in the belief that God does not exist thus contradictory.
Explain one of Aquinas’s proofs for the existence of God.
Aquinas had 5 theories that supports God’s existence. Among the theories is the argument of efficient cause. From this argument Aquinas argues that human beings view everything as a cause of the existent things in the world but as a matter of fact nothing exists on itself in the world. Therefore nothing is a cause of its own self thus existence cannot extend to infinitum. As a result therefore the efficient cause of all things is what each one of us calls God.
Explain the problem of evil and one of the solutions given by the authors we have read.
Aquinas understands evil in a manner that is not an insurmountable problem for the contemporary individual. His understanding of evil is in terms of act and potency. Additionally evil is viewed as a consequence of cause and effect while incorporating the lack of perfection where all beings created have a purpose of doing good and evil. Evil is explained in metaphysical terms or moral ways. This form of explanation implies more than just the absence of being good but the goodness that belongs to some specific origin. To provide further details Aquinas is of the opinion that the world is better served with evil existing as it helps achieve a greater good. Evil therefore as asserted by Aquinas is the unwanted deprivation of good potential in a species. Christian theism indicates a metaphysical solution on the morality of evil through the use of human free will.
Explain why Maimonides thinks it’s bad for ordinary people to study metaphysics.
Maimonides was against the study of metaphysics by the ordinary man due to several reasons. One of them is due to the non-understanding of morality an example is when Adam is blessed with metaphysical knowledge though he does not fully understand morality. However this is arbitrary as Maimonides specifically indicates that law pre-assumes social contexts and shame. Additionally the conducting of metaphysical disclosure is heuristic that needs the utmost reach that may help a man apprehend himself.
Explain why Plato thinks it’s in your own self-interest to be a moral person.
Plato’s insistence on self-interest includes the use of our rationality and our own self-interest in ensuring that we find meaning and understanding in our own self. For morality to be upheld in an individual, the aspect of one’s self is important in ensuring that every part of one’s self either the spirited side, rational side or the desire side is important in doing its parts conclusively with none interference. Our self-interests helps define our morals as actions undertaken are reflective of the human wants and the application of reason. One self-interests should help balance the guide and harmony in an individual based on physical and emotional inclination.
Explain difference between induction and deduction, and explain what is required for them to be good arguments.
Difference between deduction and induction is simple. Deduction indicates that conclusion are from a premise must be accurate but for induction the evidence must not be true. Deduction requires a specific premise. Inductive reasons on the other hand is instrumental and requires the use of probabilities and variables may change.
Explain the parent/child relationship according to Confucius and how they relate to other relationships.
Relationship between children and parents according to Confucianism is that parents and children should have a relationship that is rigid and specific. A child should serve the parent as the parent serves the child. Confucianism should be reciprocal and reflective of the needs of the parents and the child. This relationship is common in other forms of relationship as gratitude, attitude and self-respect are consistent amongst all relationships.
Plato’s epistemology indicted that his ideas were mainly innate and the learning of the ideals that he philosophies or used stemmed from the inner most part of the soul. Plato idea was often under self-guidance and a pool of the knowledge of goodness and ideas. Plato used clear depictions to indicate that there is a difference between knowledge and what just an opinion is. Opinions are sensational while knowledge indicates limitless timeliness. The analogy of the sun is an example of epistemology which clearly indicates the goodness of light. Such analogies are common in Plato’s arguments. Aristotle’s epistemology mainly centered on the use of foundationalism which centers on knowledge and defensible truths. Aristotle’s claims was in the notion that knowledge can be utterly perceived through first principles. These principles hold that there are infallible truths on oneself and that there is unnecessary needs for arguments. Aristotle fulfills the arguments with great knowledge and certainty in validity. For him epistemology has its foundations on particular phenomena and the inclination of essence in the field of knowledge. An example of this is through his claims that human males have more teeth than females in the writings of the History of Animals. Sextus Empiricus was a skeptic who mainly a skeptic that involved no trust in belief in scientifically, philosophical or matters that are theoretical to the no belies whatsoever. Empiricus puts into question the rationality that is consistent in Belief. Skeptics have a manner in which every argument is equally opposed thus bringing into question the suspension of judgement on issues. One of the works of Empiricus is Outlines of Pyrrhonism which indicates how skeptics thinks and the methods through which they effect Pyrrhonian Skepticism.
Living a good life.
Aristotle’s views happiness as a fundamental objective of life and a personal objective. Happiness according to Aristotle is reliant on the continuation of virtue as much as they may be individualistic in nature. For one to be happy Aristotle believed that happiness had to stem from a sense of well-being and physical state. Happiness is viewed as the main reason of human life. The desire for happiness is seen through the desire for money, pleasure and material items due to the goodness it brings. Plato’s view on happiness is mostly elusive as he identifies happiness with morality. Plato treats happiness as a state that requires perfection which is hard to attain. For Plato happiness is mostly as a consequence of self-interest and sufficiency. In his writings Plato’s indicates love as what is fine for the soul. Empiricus had a skeptical view of happiness as happiness is persuasive and undiverted and discovered impressions. The impression is mainly examined but not diminishing the expressiveness of happiness.
