Introduction to Philosophy Study Guide for First Test Ancient Metaphysics and Epistemology Study Resources 1) Texts: a) Mar as, Julian. History of Philosophy provides an overview of the whole ancient period; presocratic philosophy b) Plato i. Meno on philosophical method, on virtue, on inquiry/knowledge ii. Republic soul/city structure, two-world cosmology, knowledge and its object, the philosopher-king c) Aristotle, Introductory Readings iii. Physics the study of things in motion, theory of causation, composite substance iv. Metaphysics various ways being is spoken of; substance v. De Anima study of the soul 2) Class notes 3) Class Web Page: b. &quot;Content and Schedule&quot; an overview of themes discussed c. Class Handouts d. Reading Question Archive: &quot;ancient&quot; not exhaustive, but a rich &quot;index&quot; of issues covered in the readings Historical Figures Objective: You should know (i) who each figure is and his relation to his contemporaries, and (ii) generally where the thought of each fits into the history of <a href="/keyword/ancient-philosophy/" >ancient philosophy</a> . That is to say, you should be able to articulate in what way each philosopher is influential in the ancient study of metaphysics and epistemology. (Some figures are obviously more influential than others, but you should be able to identify each.) Anaxagoras Anaximander Anaximenes Antiphon Aristotle Gorgias Heraclitus Meno Parmenides Plato Protagoras Pythagoras Socrates Thales Conceptual Knowledge Objective: Below are listed twenty concepts with which you should be familiar. This list is organized alphabetically and is not exhaustive. You will be asked to complete two short answer questions (10-15 minutes each). Each question will concern one of these concepts, e.g., &quot;presocratic philosophy is a study of arch , briefly describe the history of this study.&quot; It is misleading to think that each concept can be understood in isolation from the rest. Your job will be to explicate albeit briefly the significance of the chosen concept in the history of the ancient study of metaphysics and epistemology. actuality / potentiality (motion) apeiron arch artifact vs. natural substance being or entity (Parmenides) causation (Aristotelian) city-state, structure/parts cosmology, two-worlds in Plato Form or idea; essence (Plato &amp; Aristotle) the Sun / the Good knowledge vs. belief (and their objects) logos (Heraclitus) Meno's paradox participation, theory of forms recollection Socratic ignorance sophistry (who/what) soul, structure/parts &amp; mortality-immortality substance virtue (wisdom, courage, temperance, justice) Essay Question STUDYGUIDE1. WPD p. 1 Objective: You will be asked to answer one of these questions on the exam. Be sure that you answer the entire question to receive full credit. Think of each lettered section of the question [(a), (b), (c), etc.] as at least one paragraph of the essay. 1. When characterizing the ultimate subject matter (being) , Plato and Aristotle agreed that this subject is a singular entity. They disagreed, however, on the &quot;nature&quot; or status of this (singular) thing under discussion. (a) When we are talking about this beautiful vase or this beautiful painting or this beautiful person, what is &quot;it&quot; of which we are really speaking, according to Plato? (b) Further, for Plato, why are these beautiful things that we perceive really beautiful? (c) What about Plato's metaphysics does Aristotle find objectionable? (d) What is Aristotle's conception of &quot;substance&quot; in contrast to Plato's theory of forms, and how does Aristotle's epistemology influence his conception of substance? 2. In the history of ancient Greek philosophy, one can trace the search for first principles (archai) by which individuals attempted to explain reality. Aristotle identifies this ancient search for explanatory first principles as the beginning of philosophy. (a) What of Thales' view does Anaximander reject, and what does Anaximander offer as a better explanation? (b) Is Heraclitus following a line of thinking similar to the Milesian philosophers, or is he really rejecting the kind of explanation his Ionian predecessors had put forward? (c) how is Parmenides' radical philosophy of being a rejection of Ionian philosophy?, and lastly, (d) how does Aristotle incorporate the study of arch by the presocratics into his philosophy? 3. Plato was heavily influenced by both Parmenides and Heraclitus. (a) What does Parmenides say is knowable, and what are the metaphysical characteristics of what is knowable according to Parmenides?, (b) How is the Platonic theory of Forms a rejection of Parmenides' strict monism?, and how is the Platonic theory of Forms an acceptance of Pamenidean philosophy?, (c) how is the Heraclitean metaphysical notion of flux which is expressed in the fragment &quot;Cold things grow hot, hot things grow cold, the wet dries, the parched is moistened&quot; representative of the Platonic &quot;world of appearances&quot;?, and (d) in what sense do we &quot;know&quot; the things of this world of appearances. Do we, in other words, have any knowledge of the objects of experience according to Plato? The Test 2 short answer questions (a paragraph or so) e. spend 10 to 15 minutes on each 1 essay question f. spend 20 to 30 minutes on writing this The test is not open note. However, you can do much to prepare in advance. First, organize your notes conceptually. That is, order the list of concepts by reference to each philosopher and the guiding influence this concept in or over the history of the ancient period. Write out brief &quot;definitions&quot; for each. Second, write out an outline, if not a complete essay, for each of the essay questions. Bring a BLUE BOOK on the day of the exam. Students who fail to bring one will receive a 3% deduction. STUDYGUIDE1. WPD p. 2