Midterm Study Guide

Philosophy 101 - Midterm Study Guide, Spring 2020

Short Answer:

1. Briefly explain the trial of Socrates. What are the main ideas presented by Socrates? Do you agree or disagree with these ideas?

2. What is Descartes' argument from doubt? What is he trying to prove? Is he successful? Why or why not?

3. Explain a Gettier style thought experiment. What is Gettier trying to show? In your opinion, what counts as having knowledge?

4. What are the “old” and “new” problems of induction? What are some possible solutions to these problems?

5. Explain the argument in favor of hard determinism. How does this argument relate to moral responsibility? What objections are there to this argument? In your opinion, are those objections successful? Why or why not?

6. Explain the main theories of the self? Which theory is more successful and why?

Short Short Answer:

1. What is epistemology?

2. What is metaphysics?

3. What is the literal definition of “philosophy”?

4. According to Kant, what is enlightenment?

5. What is the difference between public and private reason?

6. What is the Socratic method?

7. How is “knowledge” traditionally defined?

8. What is the logical problem with global or universal skepticism?

9. What is magical thinking?

10. What is the placebo effect?

11. What is the nocebo effect?

12. What is an innate idea?

13. What is rationalism?

14. What is empiricism?

15. What is a thought experiment? Give one example.

16. What is the principle of the uniformity of nature?

17. What is the old problem of induction?

18. What is the new problem of induction?

19. What is hard determinism?

20. What is compatibilism?

21. What is the difference between predeterminism and hard determinism?

22. What is metaphysical freedom?

23. What is theological determinism?

24. What is the principle of alternative possibilities?

25. How would Schopenhauer view romantic love?

26. What is the problem of personal identity?

27. What is the difference between second and third wave feminism?

28. What is the Kantian ethical subject?

29. What is Baumeister’s key objection to the feminist critique of society?

Format: 4 short answer questions (10 pts each), 12 short short answer questions (5 pts each), 100 pts total.