Exam 4: Plato the Beginning of Everything

Explain what James means by a trivial option.

In one of his proofs for the existence of God, Aquinas says, "it is necessary to admit a first cause, to which everyone gives the name of Reason."

Leibniz says that our reasonings are grounded upon two great principles, the first in virtue of which we judge false that which involves a contradiction, and true that which is opposed to the false.

What does Leibniz mean by acts of reflection?

Clifford says, "It is the sense of power attached to a sense of knowledge that makes men desirous of believing, and afraid of doubting." Do you agree with Clifford?

Explain in detail what James means by a "live hypothesis."

Masham says, "From what has been said, I think it does appear, that irrational instruction concerning religion, as well as want of instruction, disposes to ..."

Joyce claims that "The advance of scientific discovery, the gradual improvement of the organization of the community, the growth of material civilization-all these are due in no small degree to the stimulus afforded by pain."

Anselm says, "For, it is one thing for an object to be in the understanding, and another to understand that the object exists."

Explain Aquinas's fifth proof for the existence of God. Do you agree with Aquinas?

In one of his proofs for the existence of God, Aquinas says, "We see that things which lack _________, such as mere physical objects, act always, or nearly always, in the same way. Hence it is plain that they achieve this, not by chance, but by design."

Descartes says, "I can demonstrate diverse properties of the triangle, all of which are assuredly true since I clearly conceive them: and they are therefore something; and I have already fully shown the truth of the principle, that whatever is clearly and distinctly known is true."

Leibniz says that our reasonings are grounded upon two great principles, the first in virtue of which we judge false that which involves a _____________, and true that which is opposed to the false.

At the beginning of the reading, who goes around shouting, "I seek God! I seek God!"?

Pascal says, "It is ______________ that there should be a God, and ______________ that there should not be a God."

How does the idea of "laws of nature" fit into Berkeley's position? Is Berkeley's use of the term "laws of nature" universally accepted?

For Lammenranta, "When Descartes attempts to prove the existence and veracity of God, he starts from premises that are clear and distinct for him."

Parsons says, "let's define a gratuitous evil as an evil that not even God would have a morally sufficient reason for permitting."

Explain the role of pain in Joyce's discussion.

What arguments does Berkeley give to support the claim that "certainly no idea, whether faint or strong, can exist otherwise than in a mind perceiving it"? Do you agree with Berkeley?