Philosophy 101
Final Exam Study Guide
Spring 2008

I.  Terms and Distinctions

You should be able to answer the following in a few sentences:

        --What is a valid deductive argument?
        --What is the argument form modus ponens?  Give one example of an argument with this form.
        --What is the argument form modus tollens?  Give one example of an argument with this form.
        --What is the fallacy of denying the antecedent?  Give one example.
        --What is the fallacy of affirming the consequent? Give one example
        --What are two of the definitions that Euthyphro offers of piety or holiness?   
        --What is Socratic wisdom?
        --What purpose does Descartes' "malicious demon" serve in Meditation I?
        --What is the one certainty that Descartes establishes in Med. II.  What allows him to be
                certain of this?
        --What does Descartes conclude that he is essentially?  What allows him to conclude this?
        --What is Descartes' definition of God?
        --Explain the distinction between essential vs non-essential (accidental) properties.
        --What is social contract theory?
        --What is the 'state of nature'?
        --How does Hobbes define 'power'?
        --Explain briefly Hobbes' 1st law of nature; 2nd law of nature.
        --Explain briefly Hobbes' definition of justice.
        --Explain briefly Locke's law of nature.
        --Explain the distinction between an argument a priori and an argument a posteriori.
        --What is the problem of evil?
        --Explain the distinction between moral and natural evil.
        --What is Mill's "harm principle?"
        --What is time-slice theory?
        --Explain briefly the case of Julia North.  (What puzzle does it raise?)
        --What is the 'original position'?
        --What is the 'veil of ignorance'?
        --Explain briefly Rawls' 1st princple of justice; second principle of justice.

II.  Short Essay

You should be able to develop essays(2-4 paragraphs) on the following. 
(The more clearly and carefully you can develop your answers the better.)

--Set out the arguments that Socrates develops in his defense at trial through his cross-
       examination of Meletus.

--Set out the argument Descartes develops regarding the wax in Med. II.

--Set out the argument that Descartes develops for God's existence in Med. III.

--Set out Descartes' explanation for why human beings err (Med. IV).

--Set out the "ontological" argument that Descartes develops in Med. V.

--Set out Descartes' argument for the existence of material objects (Med. VI).

--Compare and contrast Hobbes' and Locke's account of liberty (freedom) and equality in
       the state of nature?  How do differences in their view of liberty and equality lead to
       further differences in their theories?

--Set out Cleanthes' argument from design.  What is one objection that Philo raises against it?

--Explain Cleanthes' criticism of Demea's view regarding our knowledge of God's nature.
          How might Demea best respond to this objection?

--Explain Demea's criticism of Cleanthes' view regarding the similarity between human and
          divine intelligence.  How might Cleanthes best respond to this criticism?

--In Part IV of Hume's Dialogues..., Philo develops a criticism of Cleanthes' argument from
          design that suggests that this argument will lead to an infinite regress.  Explain this criticism.
          How might Cleanthes best respond to this objection?

--In Part V, Philo argues that even if Cleanthes' argument from design succeeds in proving its
          conclusion it will fail to establish certain traditional attributes of God.  How does Philo
          develop this criticism?  How might Cleanthes best respond to it?

--What is the problem of evil?  How does Philo explain and defend his view that it is
          especially a problem for Cleanthes' argument from design?  How might Cleanthes
          best respond to this criticism?

--Explain Descartes' view of personal identity? What problems does Weirob raise for this view?

--Explain the time-slice theory of personal identity.  What problems does Weirob raise for this view?

--Explain Rawls' original position.  What is its function?  What are its main features?  (In particular,
          what is the 'veil of ignorance', and what is its purpose?)  How does Rawls justify his
          account of the original position?