All Themes in alphabetical order

Click a theme to show the ideas. Idea totals in red. Scroll down or click on an initial letter:
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Z
A
8 A posteriori necessary knowing what has to be, by means of experience
7 A priori analytic knowing just by thought, because of meaning
4 A priori contingent knowing what happens to be, just through thought
16 A priori denied there is no possibility of real knowledge a priori
10 A priori from convention we only know a priori the ideas we have created
26 A Priori knowledge knowledge acquired by pure thought
12 A priori necessary knowing what must be, just through thought
28 A priori synthetic knowing about reality, just by thinking
13 A priori, pure that direct knowledge of reality is possible a priori
9 Abelard the man French monk and early nominalist, 1079 - 1142
30 Abortion morality of terminating a life before birth
14 Abstract existence existing non-causally and outside space-time
24 Abstract/concrete defining the distinction between abstract and concrete
5 Abstraction by conflation treating abstractions as actually sets or universals
37 Abstraction by equivalence defining abstraction by the principle of equivalence
2 Abstraction by example defining abstractions by offering examples
32 Abstraction by ignoring creating abstractions by ignoring some features
7 Abstraction by negation defining abstractions by specifying what they are not
6 Abstraction, levels of that some concepts are more abstract than others
40 Abstraction, psychological mental acts which create abstract concepts
33 Abstractionism critique reasons for rejecting the abstractionist explanation
24 Academy, The school in Athens founded by Plato in c.385 BCE
19 Action theory sources and explanations of human action
3 Ad Hominem fallacy attacking an opponent's motives instead of their arguments
5 Adverbial theory of perception qualities are not objects but ways in which a perception occurs
1 Aeschylus the man Born Eleusis, tragic playwright, fl. in Athens 485 BCE
2 Aesthetic attitude the distinctive frame of mind in aesthetic experience
5 Aesthetics general ideas about the study of art and beauty
9 Agrippa's trilemma three views of the justification regress are hopeless
2 Alienation in society social breakdown caused by control of work and profit
16 Altruism placing the concerns of others before one's self
1 Ambiguity what double meanings show about language
6 Analogy arguments attempting proof by comparison with similar cases
33 Analysis strategy and value of breaking down ideas and reality
20 Analysis, against it analysis is the wrong way to do philosophy
10 Analytic propositions propositions that just seem to be about words
8 Analytic truths propositions that are true simply because of their words
4 Analytic/synthetic distinction between real assertion and the purely verbal
12 Analytic/synthetic critique rejection of a sharp distinction between real and verbal assertion
5 Anarchism a society without leadership or formal structure
8 Anaxagoras the man from Clazomenae, flourished in Athens c.460BCE
2 Anaximander the man from Miletus, presumed pupil of Thales, fl. 570BCE
8 Animal minds whether animals have consciousness and reason
22 Animal rights concern with the pleasure or pain of animals
2 Animal souls whether any animals have immortal souls
2 Animalism we should be seen as whole animals, not persons
4 Anomalies in science observations which contradict current theories
13 Anomalous monism mind is a causal oddity in a physical world
6 Anti-Individualism the individuation of minds must also refer to externals
2 Antinomies of reason major clashes in our understanding in Kantian thought
16 Anti-realism all talk of reality is pointless and empty
19 Aporiai conflicts of thought that baffled and provoked the Greeks
11 Aquinas the man Italian monk and scholar, taught in Paris, 1225-1274
2 Argument reasoning and persuasion in general
17 Aristotle, the man pupil of Plato, founder the of Lyceum, 384-322 BCE
1 Aristotle's 'Ethics' Aristotle's main work on ethics, c. 334 BCE
6 Aristotle's 'Metaphysics' Aristotle's foundation work on metaphysic, c. 325 BCE
2 Arithmetic, 'Baby' a very simple axiomatisation of arithmetic, to show basics
15 Arithmetic, its incompleteness discovery that axioms can't prove all truths of arithmetic
2 Arithmetic, Robinson an intermediate axiomatisation of arithmetic, to show basics
2 Armstrong, David, the man Australian materialist, born 1926
1 Art and interpretation what is involved in deciding the meaning of art works
9 Art and morality the relationship between moral and aesthetic values
4 Art and objectivism the possibility that aesthetic judgements can be true
7 Art as expression the view that personal expression is the essence of art
3 Art as form the view that form is the essence of works of art
3 Art as language the view that art is best understood as a language
1 Art, its ontology in what sense varies types of art actually exist
6 Art, its value the value of art for individuals and in society
2 Art, subjectivism the view of aesthetic judgements as just personal
6 Artefact essence essence of objects made by human beings
9 Artificial intelligence possibility of building thinking/conscious machine
3 Artistic expression ways in which the arts express states of mind
6 Artistic intentions the status of an artist's intentions in aesthetics
3 Artistic representation the nature of representation of reality in the arts
1 Association by cause ideas that join together as cause-and-effect
2 Association by contiguity ideas that join together as close in time or space
7 Association by resemblance ideas that join together through similarity
11 Associationism knowledge built by ideas forming links in the mind
23 Atheism denial of the existence of any gods
27 Atoms basic particles from which matter is made
6 Augustine the man Bishop of Hippo in N. Africa, 354-430
5 Authority, its value someone who creates trust by enforcing contracts
4 Autonomy in decisions right of individuals to control their own lives
1 Averroes (Ibn Rushd) the man Western muslim arab, influenced by Greeks, 1126 - 1198
2 Avicenna (Abu Ibn Sina) the man Arab muslim, influenced by the Greeks, 980 - 1037
1 Ayer, A.J. the man British logical positivist, 1910-1989
B
7 Barcan formula formula relating possibility to existence
5 Bayes' Theorem equation showing probability of an inductive truth
25 Beauty beauty as a quality in minds and objects
13 Beginning, the how the universe began
12 Behavioural dispositions mind as a collection of potential behaviours
6 Behaviourism mind is no more than the sum of behaviour
28 Behaviourism critique reasons why behaviourism is false
37 Being heart of ontology, the essence of existence
7 Belief holism the context required for beliefs
13 Belief, cause of what triggers beliefs
23 Beliefs mental state aiming at truth (Gk. doxa)
4 Beliefs in animals whether animals believe things
20 Beliefs, basic the contents and origin of foundational beliefs
10 Beliefs, elements of the components that make up beliefs
1 Beliefs, false what goes wrong in a bad belief
22 Beliefs, their aims the purpose or aim of beliefs
1 Benefit aim of improving life, rather than just pleasure
12 Berkeley the man Anglo-Irish bishop, empiricist & idealist, 1685-1753
12 Bible, the the authority of the main Christian texts
2 Biology the scientific study of living things
8 Bivalence in reason propositions can only be true or false
6 Blindsight evidence of perception without consciousness
4 Boethius the man Roman Christian, died in prison, c.1480 - 524
1 Bolzano the man Bohemian/German logician, 1781-1848
9 Boredom the fact that there seems to be nothing to do
7 Brain, the philosophically interesting features of the brain
37 Broad content meanings aren't in the head ('Externalism')
8 Buddhism attempt to rise to a pure life by elimination of desire
C
3 Camus the man French existentialist, 1913-1960
1 Cantor the man German founder of sets and infinities, 1845-1918
1 Carnap the man German logical positivist, 1891-1970
4 Carneades the man from Cyrene, head of New Academy, fl. 174 BCE
3 Cat and its tail does a cat (car) lose identity if it loses its tail (wheel)?
39 Categories general ideas about categorisations
16 Categories, proposed actual proposals for how to categorise reality
5 Category mistake in reason attributing properties to an inappropriate type of thing
11 Causal argument claim that mental causation requires physicalism
20 Causation general comments on the nature of causation
4 Causation, as primitive causation is an unanalysable basis of nature
26 Causation, by necessity causation as necessitated by nature
17 Causation, conditions of analysis of situation that leads to an event
20 Causation, constant conjunction causation as a regular link between event-types
19 Causation, counterfactual causes explained in terms of alternative events
14 Causation, eliminating it scepticism about the whole idea of causation
18 Causation, its direction explain the past-to-future direction of causes
21 Causation, naturalised causation explained in terms of natural phenomena
21 Causation, nomologica causes as aspects of lawlike behaviour
12 Causation, observation of extent of the observability of a cause
8 Causation, probabilistic causation in terms of probable consequences
32 Causation, relata categories of item connected by causation
5 Cause, final Greek view of ultimate aim as the cause
9 Cause, selecting the naming 'the' cause among the pre-condtions of events
12 Cause, types of categories of links between successive events
9 Causing death moral issues about terminating a life
23 Certainty possibility or necessity of certainty in knowledge
4 Chance truths that seem to have no cause
13 Change and identity how identity fares when an object's properties change
1 Chaotic outcome the wild unpredictability of some consequences
25 Character concern with good persons, rather than actions
18 Charity assume people aim to speak truth
1 Chemistry the interaction of atoms and molecules
11 Chinese room counterexample of non-conscious function
24 Christianity worship God through his revelation in Jesus
3 Chrysippus the man from Soli, head of Stoics in Athens c.240 BCE
3 Cicero the man Roman orator and student of philosophy, 106 - 43 BCE
8 Circularity in reason line of reasoning which just leads back to its start
1 Cleanthes the man second head of the Athenian Stoic school, fl. 270 BCE
1 Closure of physics the laws of physics can give a complete account of everything
26 Cogito critique objections to the necessary existence of a thinker
23 Cogito, The Descartes' claim that his own existence is self-evidently and necessary
7 Coincident objects two objects at the same place and time
6 Commensurability in science possibility of comparison between theories
15 Communitarianism social control aimed at maximum chance of individual virtue
15 Compactness in logic satisfaction by satisfying the finite subsets
11 Compassion as virtue sympathetic concern for others' pain
6 Compatibilism of free will
13 Completeness in logic all the truths of a system are formally deducible
18 Composition for identity things just are their parts
22 Conceivable as possible using imagination to assess what is possible
14 Concepts general ideas about the components of thought
2 Concepts and language general ideas on the relation of concepts and language
4 Concepts are linguistic claim that without language there are no concepts
17 Concepts as abilities concepts as abilities to believe, decide and reason
9 Concepts as prototypes concepts as built around typical examples of things
8 Concepts as representations concepts as mental states representing reality
3 Concepts without language possibility of concepts which do not involve language
20 Concepts, abstract general concepts not about concrete objects
8 Concepts, analysis of possibility of breaking a concept down into elements
5 Concepts, classical concepts as necessary and sufficient conditions of groups
17 Concepts, Fregean concepts as meanings, distinct from a word's reference
2 Concepts, nativist concepts as innate or native ingredients of minds
5 Concepts, origin of general ideas on the origin of mental concepts
4 Concepts, the theory theory concepts as components of our theories of reality
15 Conceptual analysis philosophy as the analysis and relations of concepts
4 Conceptual atomism concepts are atomic, and have no internal structure
4 Conceptual dualism of mind there is one substance, but our concepts are dualist
4 Conceptual priority how concepts depend upon one another
5 Conceptual structure whether concepts have structure or are atomic
3 Conceptualism in mathematics maths is just a set of human concepts in minds
15 Concsciousness, cause of what causes minds to be conscious
10 Conditionals general ideas about conditionals
15 Conditionals, non-truth-functional conditional truth adding to the components
6 Conditionals, pragmatics of practical conventions for uttering conditional statements
4 Conditionals, suppositional conditionals only interested in true antecedents
21 Conditionals, truth-functional conditional truth based entirely on components
6 Conditionals, types of ways to categorise types of conditionals
1 Confucianism traditional Chinese set of rules for living
13 Connectionism of mind mind is the sum of many associations/connections
16 Consciousness general ideas about consciousness
8 Consciousness, its essence the defining aspect of being conscious
5 Consciousness, parts of different parts of a conscious mind
9 Consciousness, purpose of reasons why our minds are conscious
3 Consequence, deductive |- following from a formula in proof-theory
14 Consequence, semantic |= fitting with the truth of some formulae
19 Consequentialism morality of actions just depends on consequences
2 Conservatism social structure preserving tradition and order
9 Consistency in logic a set of sentences are held to be simultaneously true
2 Constants in logic terms, such as names, which have a fixed value
9 Constitution for identity things are constituted by their matter
11 Constructivism in mathematics maths is entirely created by the human mind
8 Contemplation as virtue pure thought as a possible virtue
24 Content how minds internally represent reality
13 Continental philosophy key shared characteristics of continental modern philosophy
7 Contingency facts which could be otherwise
12 Continuum hypothesis claim that there are gaps in the number sequence
3 Contract strategies subtle ways of getting what you want from people
19 Contractarianism morality as doing favours in order to receive them
1 Contractualism morality is being able to give good reasons
4 Contradiction in logic when two statements are in logical conflict
6 Contraries could both be false, but can't both be true
1 Copernicus the man Polish astronomer, proposed heliocentric system, 1473 - 1543
20 Cosmological proof of God proving God's existence from the existence of nature
16 Cosmology origins and nature of the universe
9 Counterfactual claims laws as involving claims about other possible worlds
14 Counterfactuals truths that do not apply to the actual world
22 Counterpart identity there are only closely resembling possible entities
7 Courage as virtue virtuous resistance to fear and danger
18 Criterion of existence what is the hallmark for deciding what exists?
12 Cultural relativism role of culture in shaping individual knowledge
4 Culture principles and traditions of a society
2 Cynics anti-social seekers of simplicity
4 Cyrenaic school Greek school which made personal pleasure central
4 Cyrenaics school committed to pleasure as the good
D
1 Darwin the man English developer of theory of evolution, 1809-1882
2 Davidson the man American philosopher of mind and language, 1917-2003
8 De re/ de dicto modalities modes of reality, or modes of statement about it
20 Death issues the value of death, especially in assessing evil
5 Decidability in logic are positive or negative answers always possible?
5 Deconstruction wisdom can only draw attention to human presuppositions
18 Definite descriptions descriptions which seem to pick out a unique item
20 Definition, by genus/differentia its class, and then its distinguishing feature
10 Definition, contextual definition relying wholly on facts about context
7 Definition, impredicative definition that doesn't introduce a new concept
3 Definition, ostensive definition by pointing out one or more examples
17 Definition, real give the true nature of something, not just a description
1 Definition, recursive specify one item, and a rule to produce more of them
4 Definition, stipulative definition by simply decreeing what a concept means
37 Definitions specifying one word by means of others
4 Deism belief in a remote or absent god
19 Democracy social control belongs to a majority of the citizens
3 Democritus the man greatest early atomist (fl.-431)
14 Demonstration in science proving physical facts by observation and reason
5 Dennett the man American philosopher of mind, b.1942
20 Deontology moral theories centring on the idea of duty
2 Derrida the man French deconstructionist, 1930-2005
15 Descartes the man Facts about Descartes's career, 1596-1650
3 Descriptions general ideas about stating characteristics of objects
20 Descriptions, theory of definite rewriting of descriptive terms to show underlying logic
1 Desires the raw desire for self-indulgence
24 Determinism
1 Deterrence and punishment punishment aimed at frightening potential criminals
5 Dewey the man American pragmatist, 1859-1952
21 Dialectic approaching truth by discussion and analysis
6 Dilemmas moral situations with no clear course of action
1 Diogenes of Apollonia the man natural philosophy who lived in Athens c. 450 BCE
7 Diogenes of Sinope the man greatest of the early cynics, flourished 360 BCE
9 Direct realism we are in direct contact with reality
36 Dispositions latent characteristics that may be manifested
11 Divine contradictions contradictions in our concept of a supreme being
15 Divine moral decree God as the authority behind morality
6 Divine morality general ideas on God and morality
31 Divine nature the characteristics of a supreme being
16 Divine perfections existence of good qualities in their purest form
14 Domain of quantification specifying the objects from which quantifiers select
3 Double effect morality of side-effects of an action
6 Dreams knowledge is just self-generated delusions
15 Dualism of mind mind and matter are two quite different substances
28 Dualism of mind critique view that dualism is impossible or incorrect
34 Duty the nature of duty and its underpinnings
E
2 Early Christians Ran a theological school in Alexandria, 185-254
8 Eastern Thinkers Thinkers from India and East Asia
3 Ecology human life as part of the Earth's whole biosphere
44 Education purpose and role of teaching young citizens
2 Effectiveness in logic criteria for whether proof can really be successful
2 Einstein the man German jewish founder of relativity, 1879-1955
18 Elements of nature the core components of existence
6 Elements of society the main sectors which compose a society
5 Elenchus Socrates' use of interrogation for philosophy
18 Eliminativism of mind there is no such thing as mind, only the brain
7 Emergentism of mind mind as a product of complex matter
15 Emotions pure feeling, and its role in mind function
2 Empedocles the man flourished in Acragas, Sicity, in 490 BCE
39 Empirical arithmetic arithmetic arising entirely from sense experience
32 Empiricism experience as ultimate basis of all knowledge
27 Empiricism, critique rejection of knowledge arising just from experience
16 Empiricism, in favour reasons for favouring the empirical view of knowledge
4 Empiricists Believers in knowledge through experience since 1800
1 Energy universal physical stuff involved in all actions
12 Enlightenment the Age of Reason, roughly 1620-1800
2 Entailment in reason if P is true then Q has to be true
9 Enumerability in logic whether all formulae in a system can be specified
1 Epictetus the man Greek slave in Rome, stoic teacher, 55 - 135
1 Epicureans followers of Epicurus in the Garden, c.300-100 BCE
5 Epicurus the man founded The Garden, flourished 300 BCE
11 Epiphenomenalism of mind mind as by-product of matter, having no effect
3 Epistemic logic Inferences between known and believed propositions
1 Epistemic virtues qualities of believers or sources that ensure knowledge
6 Epistemology naturalised forget justification; just explain how knowledge occurs
28 Equality in society reasons for and benefits of equality between citizens
7 Equivalence classes classes created by close relationships of members
6 Eristic argument as a competition rather than for truth
5 Error accounts of how human error occurs
32 Essence the nature of the essence of an entity
24 Essence as definition essence as what figures in a successful definition
41 Essence as necessities essence as the properties it is impossible to change
16 Essence as powers essence is the active driving force of each thing
7 Essence as structure essence is the inner structure that supports properties
36 Essence for explanation essence as what gives a full explanation of a thing
37 Essence for identity essence is what bestows and preserves an identity
29 Essence, individual essence only possessed by one individual entity
13 Essence, nominal essence as the necessary part of a name's meaning
14 Essential properties properties that seem essential for the existence of a thing
26 Essentialism critique reasons for total denial of the existence of 'essences'
38 Essentialism, sortal essence is picked out by falling under a classification
2 Eternalism of time all times exist together, without division into parts
20 Ethical egoism view that people should put themselves first
6 Ethics from reason pure reason produces ethical values and principles
5 Ethics, applied real life issues of moral principle
1 Euripides the man -
9 Euthanasia morality of mercy-killing for the very ill
16 Euthyphro question which comes first - morality or God(s)?
11 Events occurrences in time with distinct identity
7 Events as primitive events as a basic irreducible category of understanding
17 Events reduced events as composed of more basic elements
5 Evidence observation which points towards a truth
11 Evil, problem of reasons for the existence of evil
17 Evolution theory that life results from natural selection
19 Excluded middle propositions must be either true or false
42 Existence general ideas about what it means to exist
37 Existentialism the key to life is freedom and self-creation
2 Existentialists philosophers who make free choice central
9 Experiment in science deliberate isolation of one cause or effect
3 Explaining people special explanations for human behaviour
16 Explanation what kind of information makes understanding possible
8 Explanation as pragmatic explanation as related entirely to human curiosity
17 Explanation by causes explanation just by showing the causes
1 Explanation by function showing how a mechanism achieves its aim
14 Explanation by laws explaining an event by relating it to a law
9 Explanation by mechanism explaining by showing the preceding processes
5 Explanation by probability explanation by showing how probability varies
26 Explanation by reduction explanation by showing lower-level causes
23 Explanation, best deciding why one explanation is superior to others
22 Explanation, types of various types of explanation
8 Explanation, ultimate the possible last step in an explanation process
4 Explanatory gap no prospect of fully explaining mind via brain
2 Expressibility in logic the limits of what can be said in a logical language
18 Expressivism in ethics theory that morality is just an expression of feelings
6 Extensional semantics giving meaning by specifying which objects the meaning includes
4 Extensionalism in logic semantic system built on reference to objects
7 External goods role of luck and possessions in the good life
5 External justification, against objections to the externalist view of justification
9 External properties external aspects that are part of a Self
F
32 Facts how things are, independently of thought
6 Fallacy distinctive types of recurrent error in human reasoning
4 Fallacy of composition attributing the properties of members to the set as a whole
1 Fallacy of division attributing to whole set's properties to one of its members
5 Fallibilism in knowledge beliefs can counts as knowledge even if they are not certain
8 Falsification in science establishing that a fact or theory is not true
8 Fate
9 Fideism belief based purely on faith, without rational argument
4 Finitism in mathematics true mathematics only concerns finite quantities
1 Fodor the man American philosopher of mind, b.1935
19 Folk psychology is the truth about minds found in normal speech?
14 Force whatever causes interactions between objects
19 Form of the Good a single eternal idea which is the aim of morality
21 Formalism in mathematics maths is a set of uninterpreted symbols
20 Foundationalism general claim that knowledge foundations are possible
24 Foundationalism, critique criticisms of the existence of foundational beliefs
5 Foundationalism, in favour support for the existence of foundational beliefs
7 Free logic logic with no existence commitment for the quantifiers
5 Free rider problem one who achieves maximum success by breaking contracts
25 Free will critique
14 Free will, in favour
32 Free will, nature of
30 Freedom in society extent to which citizens can pursue private ends
7 Frege the man German analyst of language, 1848-1925
13 Fregean semantics giving in the manner laid out by Gottlob Frege
17 Friendship as virtue close personal relationships as a virtue
18 Functionalism critique criticisms of the functionalist theory of mind
21 Functionalism of mind mind is a causal network of functions
8 Functionalism, causal mental states are defined in entirely causal terms
4 Functionalism, homuncular mind as a team of small independent functional units
8 Functionalism, machine mind is in principle a Turing machine
2 Functionalism, psycho- minds exist as the result of brain function
7 Functionalism, teleological mind as a set of interlocking purposeful functions
13 Functions in logic elements in logical systems to create new objects
4 Fuzzy logic logic using infinite gradations between true and false
G
4 G.E.Moore the man British analytical empiricist, 1873-1958
1 Galileo the man Italian scientist, established heliocentric system, 1564 - 1642
1 Game theory analysis and maths of relationship strategies
1 Gassendi the man French empiricist and atomist, 1592-1655
8 General will Rousseau's idea of the combined social desire
8 Generalisation concepts referring to many similar things
24 Geometry the study of relationships of lines, points, and shapes
11 Geometry axioms formal starting points for deriving geometry
5 Gettier problem some true justified beliefs are not knowledge
4 Giordano Bruno the man Italian freethinking platonist, burnt at stake, 1548 - 1600
77 Glossary, Greek to Eng A glossary of key Greek philosophical terms
5 God the existence and role of a supreme being
1 God and time relationship between God, time and eternity
10 God is the good view of morality as identical with God
11 God reflecting humanity God as a projection of humanity's own image
1 Gödel the man German logician and theoretician, 1906-1978
9 Golden rule in ethics treat others as you would like to be treated
34 Good, the the single aim of all moral thinking and action
16 Goodness the quality which makes a thing superior or desirable
1 Gorgias the man flourished in Leontini in Sicily in 420 BCE
2 Greeks, in general General ideas about the ancient Greeks
8 Growing block of time past and present exist, but the future does not
3 Guardians of the state rule by a group of the wisest and most learned
H
13 Haecceitism indistinguishable worlds might still have different objects
16 Haecceity some property which merely confers identity on a thing
10 Happiness as eudaimonia Greek concept of fulfilment/happiness/flourishing
16 Happiness, nature of what is the intrinsic nature of happiness?
31 Happiness, route to how can happiness be achieved?
13 Happiness, value of how important is happiness?
1 Health as virtue health as a natural good, and part of happiness
6 Heaven good place where good souls go as a reward
7 Hedonism the central aim of life being individual pleasure
12 Hegel the man great German idealist, 1770-1831
6 Heidegger the man German existentialist, 1889-1976
3 Hell bad place where bad souls go as a punishment
3 Hellenism Greek culture from about 330 BCE to about 80 BCE
3 Heraclitus the man flourished in Ephesus, Asia Minor, in 490 BCE
4 Hermeneutics seeking rhetorical explanation instead of hard facts
15 Higher-order thought consciousness as higher levels of thinking
1 Hilbert the man German geometer and theoretician, 1862-1943
8 Hinduism Indian polytheism, including reincarnation
6 History awareness of the past as a part of a culture
14 History of ideas the history of human ideas and their relation to cultures
9 Hobbes the man English empiricist and religious sceptic, 1588-1679
5 Homer the man author of 'Iliad' and 'Odyssey', c.850 BCE
8 Honour as virtue high public esteem as a virtue
4 Human error possible explanations of why human error is possible
5 Human evil possible explanations of why human evil exists
35 Human nature the concept of what a natural object does
13 Hume the man Scottish empiricist and critic of religion, 1711-1776
12 Humour philosophical jokes, or the theory of jokes
1 Husserl the man German phenomenologist, 1859-1938
16 Hylomorphism identity as the combination of form and matter
I
34 Idealism reality exists entirely as ideas in the mind
11 Ideas mental events which internally represent reality
22 Identity between objects general ideas about two objects being the same thing
21 Identity in general general ideas about the notion of things being the same
12 Identity in logic logical assertions that that two objects are identical
25 Identity nihilism objects do not have intrinsic identity
5 Identity over time general ideas about identity over time
8 Identity over time, denial of objects do not retain their identity over time
10 Identity, four-dimensional objects extend in both space and time
30 Identity, intrinsic what is one thing's identity at a given instant?
6 Identity, perfect two things just being the same thing
11 Identity, relative identity must always cite some 'respect' of identity
9 Identity, three-dimensional objects extend in space, but not in time
9 If-thenism logic is only inference without commitment to initial truths
13 Illusions errors in perception mean it can't give knowledge
10 Imagination holding mental pictures, esp counterfactuals
26 Immortality survival of the human soul after death
5 Impossible worlds usually possible worlds which contain contradictions
6 Incompleteness in logic some truths of a system evade formal proof
18 Indeterminacy of translation full translation may be a logical impossibility
2 Indexicals semantics giving meanings for terms that obviously depend on context
34 Indiscernible objects objects between which no differences can be found
37 Individuation in identity distinguishing an object from among all others
25 Induction obtaining general truth from many instances
9 Induction and reason role of pure reason in inductive inference
17 Induction, its limits why induction cannot justify generalised truths
2 Inductive argument proving for all, by repeated applications of some step
3 Infinite regress in reason hopeless explanations which go on forever
9 Infinite, the the concept of endless time or space
40 Innate Ideas knowledge or concepts built into the mind/brain
3 Inspiration knowledge without evidence or reason
2 Instrumentalism in science Scientific truth is just what works in our theories
4 Instrumentalism of mind mind as a fiction created to deal with behaviour
28 Intellectualism theory that virtue requires knowledge
5 Intension the way a set of things is conceived
3 Intensionalism in logic semantic system built on reference to properties
25 Intentionality theories how can intentional states be explained?
18 Intentionality, character of what exactly is intentionality?
14 Interactionism of mind mind and matter mutually affect one another
2 Interference with thought experience is virtual reality from demon/scientist
4 Intermittent objects objects which cease, and then return to existence
26 Introspection learning about our minds by looking inwards
15 Intuition direct awareness of knowledge
37 Intuitionism in ethics theory that we have an in-built morality detector
15 Intuitionism in mathematics maths is built from intuitions and proofs
3 Intuitionist logic logic which uses 'provable' in place of 'true'
8 Inverted qualia one stimulus causing opposite experiences
23 Is/ought no non-human values anywhere in nature
8 Islam worship one God, with Mohammed as prophet
10 Isomorphisms in logic ways in which two models or theories map together
10 Iterative conception of sets view that all sets are derived from previous sets
J
4 James, William, the man American pragmatist, 1842-1910
12 Judaism followers of one god with a chosen people
10 Justication, contextual standard of justification which varies with context
24 Justice as virtue correct behaviour towards other people
19 Justification the issue of turning a true belief into knowledge
23 Justification as coherence the proposal that coherent support creates knowledge
26 Justification as coherence critique criticisms of the coherentist view
7 Justification as coherence, pro- reasons in favour of the coherentist view
13 Justification by testimony other people's reports as support for our beliefs
14 Justification, causal a causal link to the facts is needed for knowledge
21 Justification, external general claim that external factors produce knowledge
19 Justification, internal justification as an internal mental state
7 Justification, pragmatic the only justification is what actually works
15 Justification, reliabilism justification is production of belief by reliable sources
11 Justification, social justification is produced by a community of people
K
15 Kant the man Prussian metaphysician, 1724-1804
2 Kepler the man German astronomor, found planetary orbits, 1571 - 1830
5 Kierkegaard the man Danish founder of existentialism, 1813-1855
7 Knowing how having a skill which may be inarticulate
29 Knowledge the situation of holding a set of reliable true beliefs
7 Knowledge argument qualia knowledge goes beyond physical knowledge
4 Knowledge as convention knowledge is just social convention (Gk. nomos)
5 Kripke the man American logician and metaphysician, b.1940
1 Kuhn the man American philosopher and historian of science, 1922-1997
L
24 Language generalisations about existence of language
1 Language relativism role of language in shaping human knowledge
2 Late Greeks Ancient Greek culture after about 80 BCE
16 Law agreed and enforceable rules of a society
9 Law, natural social rules which are self-evident and natural
8 Laws from universals laws seen as necessary relations between universals
56 Laws of nature nature and status of the regularities of nature
14 Laws of nature, best system laws are the simplest axioms that describe patterns
37 Laws of nature, regularities laws are merely patterns in physical events
7 Laws of thought basic axioms of human reason
3 Legal positivism law is simply based on the will of power-holders
2 Legal rights rights explicitly bestowed by a legal system
3 Leibniz development The intellectual progress of Leibniz
1 Leibniz texts Leibniz texts, and their publication
15 Leibniz the man Facts about Leibniz's career, 1646-1716
3 Lewis, David, the man American materialist metaphysician, 1941-2001
7 Liberalism social structure emphasising freedom and rights
5 Life what distinguishes life, and its value
3 Limitation of Size simply restricting set size in order to avoid paradox
20 Limits of reason the extent to which our reason can reveal truth
1 Linguistic structuralism understanding mind and knowledge by studying linguistic structures
1 Literature philosophical aspects of literature
11 Living naturally stoic attitude that virtue is natural living
9 Locke the man Oxford-educated empiricist, 1632-1704
15 Logic, classical the system of logic accepted as the modern norm
14 Logic, first-order logic where variables only refer to objects
11 Logic, history of origins of the various systems of formal logic
38 Logic, second-order logic extending variables to predicates and relations
44 Logic, the overview broad views about different systems of logic
19 Logic, value of the relative importance of logic in life and reason
12 Logical atoms minimal experiences and ideas as basis of knowledge
26 Logical connectives the terms used to make steps in logical arguments
29 Logical consequence defining when one idea logically follows another
24 Logical form precise statement of what a sentence actually claims
3 Logical theories complete sets of propositions derived from some start
28 Logicism, critique objections to the logicism view of maths
28 Logicism, early versions first developments of the logicist idea
15 Logicism, neo- revival of logicism after much criticism
12 Logos broad Greek concept of understanding or giving reasons
21 Love the role of the feeling of love in moral behaviour
19 Löwenheim-Skolem theorems group of theorems about models involving infinities
2 Lucretius the man Roman poet and Epicurean, fl. c. 60 BCE
5 Lyceum, The Aristotle's school in Athens, founded 335 BCE
M
2 Machiavelli the man Florentine political thinker, 1469-1527
1 MacIntyre the man British reviver of virtue theory, 1929-
3 Many-valued logic logic using further values in addition to 'true' and 'false'
1 Marcilio Ficino the man Founded a Platonic Academy in Florence, 1433 - 1499
1 Marcus Aurelius the man born in Spain. Emperor of Rome. 121-180
8 Marxism aim of equal benefit by control of means of production
1 Mass in physics the amount of matter in an object
7 Material implication the truth of P implies the truth of Q
10 Materialism view that only material things actually exist
5 Mathematical induction rule to get from axioms to general mathematical truths
5 Mathematical logic logic that is used in the practice of mathematics
48 Mathematical platonism maths exists independently of conscious thinkers
33 Mathematics discovered or invented, within or outside nature
7 Mathematics by intuition mathematics is knowable directly by pure reason
13 Mathematics, its application explanations of mathematics applying to the physical world
27 Matter the nature of the solid stuff that makes up the physical world
2 McDowell the man New Zealand philosopher of mind, language and ethics, b.1942
21 Mean, the virtues as appropriate route between evils
22 Meaning how one thing can represent another thing
8 Meaning as mental meanings are essentially mental events
8 Meaning by role meaning is simply the role in some part of thought
17 Meaning holism meaning needs a complete language as background
7 Meaning in sentences sentences, not words, are the units of meaning
9 Meanings denied doubts about the whole idea of meaning
7 Medievals, the thinkers between the fall of Rome and the Renaissance
1 Melissus the man born Samos, pupil of Parmenides, an admiral, fl 445 BCE
16 Memory memory as source and preserver of knowledge
12 Mental causation way in which thought causes events
18 Mentalese minds have in-built private language
3 Mereological groups collections of individuals with a unifying concept
20 Mereological parts what is involved in being part of something else
11 Mereological sums single items made up of any parts, even if diverse
33 Mereological wholes what is involved in being a whole made of parts
22 Mereology the general theory of how parts relate to wholes
5 Mereology axioms basic principles for reasoning about parts and wholes
11 Mereology terminology technical vocabulary used in formal mereology
5 Metaphor using falsehoods to enhance understanding
41 Metaphysics, nature of the nature of the most abstract philosophy
23 Metaphysics, possibility of possibility of abstract wisdom through pure thought
9 Mill the man British empiricist and utilitarian, 1806-1873
7 Mind general ideas about the mind
7 Mind, features of observing features of a mind
21 Mind, its unity unified character of the thinking mind
7 Mind, location of decided where the mind is located
5 Mind, purpose of what minds are for
10 Mind, questions about questions to be decided about the mind
12 Miracles seeing unnatural events as proof of God's existence
5 Modal argument surely mind-brain connections are necessary?
14 Modal logic General ideas about the nature of modal logic
15 Modal logic derivation rules the rules which are allowed in various modal logics
4 Modal logic symbols the symbols which are distinctive of modal logic
3 Modal logic systems issues concerning the varieties of modal logic
6 Modal logic terminology definitions of the main concepts used in modal logic
10 Modal logic, alethic inference from truths concerning necessity and possibility
10 Modal realism proposal that possible worlds really exist
5 Modal system B version imposing two conditions on accessibility
4 Modal system D version with guaranteed access to some world
1 Modal system K modern simple version, on which others build
1 Modal system K4 version imposing one condition on accessibility
3 Modal system S4 version imposing two conditions on accessibility
14 Modal system S5 strongest system, with three accessibility conditions
3 Modal system T version imposing one condition on accessibility
14 Modality general ideas about modes of existence
26 Models in logic general features of logical models
18 Modern analytic philosophy Americans, Australians and others since 1945
1 Modern continental philosophy Non-English speaking Europeans since 1880
14 Modularity of mind theory of separate units of the mind/brain
6 Modus ponens rule that the entailment of a true formula is also true
3 Moments short happenings which depend on their participants
16 Monads pure simple ideas as building blocks of existence
4 Monotheism view that there is just one god
3 Monotonicity in logic if something is proved, nothing new can unprove it
6 Montaigne the man French essayist, Mayor of Bordeaux, 1533 - 1592
5 Moral argument for God proving God's existence from the existence of morality
4 Moral luck morality of an act partly decided by luck
8 Moral motives what causes people to want to behave well
16 Moral theory general comments on the theoretical side of morality
19 Morality overviews of morality in life and understanding
25 Morality as convention morals as social rules, rather than private or true
5 Morality critique view that morality is a delusion to be ignored
7 Motivation for altruism reasons why other people's feelings matter
16 Motivation for duty reasons why someone should want to do their duty
29 Movement explanation and source of why anything moves
24 Multiple realisability lots of way to implement a thought
5 Music philosophical aspects of music
12 Mysterianism of mind we are incapable of explaining the mind-body link
N
4 Nagel the man American philosopher of mind, b.1937
7 Naïve conception of sets view that every concept has its own set
4 Naïve realism reality is just as it appears to be
34 Names general ideas about how names function in sentences
23 Names, descriptive names as implying information about the object
16 Names, referential names as doing no more than pick out an object
9 Narrow content meaning is inside the mind ('Internalism')
10 Natural evil possible explanations of why natural disasters occur
7 Natural function the concept of what a natural object does
8 Natural kind essence essence as belonging to a particular natural kind
44 Natural kinds stable substances or universals in physical world
39 Natural purpose the ultimate reason for a thing's existence
23 Natural rights protected benefits to which people are entitled
6 Naturalising reason explaining reason as part of the natural world
13 Nature everything existing within known reality
20 Nature, basis of the question of the basic components of reality
5 Necessary/sufficient giving the full conditions for a truth or event
2 Necessity as primitive necessities are self-justifying or self-evident
4 Necessity by convention necessity comes from linguistic conventions
4 Necessity from concepts necessity based on relations of concepts
7 Necessity from essence necessity comes from the essence of actual things
31 Necessity in general proposition that something must be the way it is
15 Necessity, denial of there is no such thing as necessity
19 Necessity, its sources general views on what gives rise to necessity
22 Necessity, logical necessity because of logic or definitions
13 Necessity, metaphysical inescapable necessity as a feature of reality
10 Necessity, natural necessary facts about the physical world
16 Necessity, types of different ways in which things must be
2 Newton the man English physicist, found laws of gravity, 1642 - 1726
11 Nietzsche the man German atheist and moral philosopher, 1844-1900
12 Nihilism the fact that human life seems pointless and absurd
31 Nominalism the view that only particulars exist
12 Nominalism, class universals are classes of things
4 Nominalism, concept universals are mental concepts
5 Nominalism, mereological universals are wholes, though found in parts
11 Nominalism, predicate unversals are really just linguistic predicates
19 Nominalism, resemblance universals are groups of resembling particulars
7 Non-being what we are doing when we refer to non-existents
14 Non-contradiction a proposition is claimed to be both true and false
1 Nozick the man American social and episemological thinker, 1938-2002
11 Number as adjectival numbers as properties, rather than objects
16 Number, axioms for general ideas about giving arithmetic a formal basis
48 Number, Fregean Frege's view of numbers as extensions of classes
4 Number, Greek basic principles of arithmetic according to the early Greeks
1 Number, von Neumann Von Neumann's view of numbers as expanding sets
2 Number, Zermelo Zermelo's view of numbers as nested sets
34 Numbers general ideas concerning numbers
6 Numbers, cardinal numbers relating to total rather than position
2 Numbers, imaginary numbers which are negative when squared
37 Numbers, infinite the status and nature of infinity as a number
7 Numbers, one status and nature of the number one
28 Numbers, ordinal numbers relating to position rather than total
20 Numbers, real all numbers, including those inexpressible as fractions
22 Numbers, types of the various families of numbers
11 Numbers, units a series of isolated 'ones' on which counting is built
7 Numbers, zero status and nature of the number zero
O
13 Objects of thought distinct entities found in the mind
44 Objects, abstract the existence of abstractions in the mind
37 Objects, physical distinct entities in the physical world
4 Observation in science attempt to neutrally perceive the environment
3 Occasionalism of mind a third force (God) co-ordinates mind and matter
16 Ockham's Razor 'Do not multiply entities beyond necessity'
6 Omissions in actions harm done by a failure to act
15 One, The all existence is really just a single thing
46 Ontological commitment the existence commitments of language and theories
15 Ontological dependence an existence which depends upon some other existence
32 Ontological proof critique objections to proving God's existence from pure ideas
26 Ontological proof of God proving God's existence from pure ideas
11 Ontology of logic overview of what must exist to enable logic
1 Open question argument definitions failing by not resolving the problem
7 Opposites concepts held to be totally opposed to each other
8 Ordering in sets ordered sets, and using sets to describe orderings
12 Ordinary language aiming at wisdom by analysis of ordinary language
1 Origen the man theologian and Christian church father, c.185-254
15 Origin as essential essence of an entity as fixed by its origin
2 Other minds general ideas about other people's minds
10 Other minds by analogy knowing other minds as like our own mind
6 Other minds scepticism doubts about knowledge of other minds
16 Other minds, knowledge of how we might know of other minds
P
6 Paganism old polytheism, especially in ancient Greece
2 Panaetius the man Head of the Stoic school in Athens, 185 - 109 BCE
8 Panpsychism all matter has a mental aspect to it
7 Pantheism view that God and nature are identical
1 Paraconsistency logic which accepts a degree of contradiction
2 Paradigms in science set framework for understanding nature
4 Paradox general ideas about meeting contradictions in thought
1 Paradox fo the Preface problem with apologies in the preface of a book
6 Paradox of Achilles problem when analysing a pursuit race
3 Paradox of Berry problem with defining a number with maximum words
3 Paradox of Burali-Forti problem arising when we think of the greatest ordinal
1 Paradox of Cantor problem with the powerset of the universe
1 Paradox of Grelling ('heterological') problem with concepts which describe themselves
1 Paradox of König problem with denying that something can be defined
2 Paradox of Mirimanoff problem with extending well-founded sets
1 Paradox of Richard problem with defining a closed set of real numbers
5 Paradox of Russell problem with self-membership of a set
4 Paradox of The Heap ('Sorites') problem with defining what makes a heap
10 Paradox of The Liar problem when liars refer to themselves
2 Paradox of the Lottery problem when deciding whether your ticket will win
11 Paradoxes of induction logical problems with the process of induction
2 Paradoxes of time conflicts that arise out of things people say
4 Parallelism of mind mind and matter don't touch, but run in parallel
1 Parfit the man British sceptic about personal identity, 1942-
2 Parmenides the man General ideas about his life and thought
4 Particularism in ethics morality arises from the detail of real situations
6 Pascal's Wager belief in God because it is a sensible precaution
10 Peano axioms set of arithmetic axioms proposed by Dedekind and Peano
7 Peano axioms, 2nd-order Dedekind-Peano axioms which also refer to properties
6 Peirce the man American founder of pragmatism, 1839-1914
30 Perception process from raw experience to awareness of reality
14 Perception and inference the idea that inference is an essential part of perception
10 Perception, causal theory perception as a causal chain from world to mind
18 Perception, interpretation role of interpretation in a direct act of perception
3 Persons as ends seeing rational beings as an ultimate value in actions
4 Persons as reasoners the concept of a person is needed for reasoning
5 Persons as responsible the concept of a person is needed for responsibility
11 Persons, their existence whether persons exist apart from human beings
28 Phenomenalism reality is just actual and potential appearances
6 Phenomenology approaching wisdom by examining human experience
1 Philolaus the man Pythagorean flourished at Croton, Italy, in 365 BCE
23 Philosophy defined attempts to define the whole subject of philosophy
24 Philosophy in general general remarks about philosophy
33 Philosophy, despair over view of the whole enterprise as hopeless
4 Philosophy, history of the history of philosophical thinking
10 Philosophy, hopes for optimistic views of what philosophy can achieve
16 Philosophy, invocation to encouragements to pursue philosophy
39 Philosophy, its aims the main aims of the whole subject
10 Physical change nature and logic things changing their properties
15 Physicalism critique attempts to prove that mind is not just physical
28 Physicalism of mind mind is entirely physical in composition
1 Pico della Mirandola the man Florentine platonist, in their Academy, 1463 - 1494
20 Plato the man pupil of Socrates, founded the Academy, 426-347 BCE
22 Platonic Forms Plato's separate reality of pure ideas
18 Platonic Forms critique criticisms of Plato's theory of Forms
19 Platonic Forms, partaking how particulars are said to relate to Forms
6 Platonic Forms, self-predication whether forms exemplify their own quality
4 Platonism in logic that logical entities have independent existence
2 Platonists immediate followers of Plato
5 Pleasure as an ideal the ideal life for believers in pleasure
9 Pleasure, its dangers how can pleasure be harmful?
12 Pleasure, its role what is the point of pleasure?
10 Pleasure, nature of what exactly pleasure is
9 Pleasure, sources of what sorts of things can give us pleasure?
19 Pleasure, types of what types of pleasure are there?
36 Pleasure, value of how important is pleasure in life?
5 Plotinus the man Greek, based in Rome, 205-270
4 Points in space the minimal units that make up space
1 Popper the man Austrian philosopher of science, based in England, 1902-1994
2 Porphyry the man Neo-platonist pupil of Plotinus, 234 - 305
4 Posidonius the man Head of Stoic school at Rhodes, 135 - 50 BCE
6 Positivism belief in science as the only route to truth
25 Possibility general ideas about what is possible
2 Possibility, epistemic things said to be possible 'for all I know'
18 Possible worlds existence of non-actual possible worlds
4 Possible worlds actualism proposal that the only real world is our actual one
4 Possible worlds as fictions possible worlds as complete consistent fictions
5 Possible worlds as propositions possible worlds as maximal sets of propositions
11 Possible worlds semantics giving full meaning by specifying some set of possible worlds
20 Possible worlds, against there is no such thing as a 'possible world'
15 Possible worlds, nature of overview of what we take possible worlds to be
40 Powers basic powers, as the source of all causation
12 Powers and dispositions relation between basic power and behavioural tendency
14 Powers and properties relation between basic powers and known properties
10 Powers critique criticism of the whole idea of underlying powers
22 Practical reason judgement which leads to action
1 Predicate Calculus PC general ideas about standard predicate logic
6 Predicate Calculus rules
3 Predicate Calculus symbols
1 Predicate Calculus terminology
16 Predicates in language terms attributing characteristics to things
5 Predicates in logic assigning predicates to objects in formulae
7 Prediction in science prediction of an event as a step towards explanation
14 Prescriptivism morality asserts our universal duties?
32 Presentism of time only the present moment exists
2 Pre-Socratics other philosophers who flourished before 410 BCE
19 Primary/secondary critique criticism of the primary/secondary distinction
32 Primary/secondary qualities about dividing qualities into two types
1 Prisoner's Dilemma situations where being rational brings failure
8 Privacy of mind the exceptionally private nature of thought
21 Private languages possibility of a solitary person having language
10 Probability asserting the degree of likelihood of a fact
9 Processes the general category of changing things
1 Prodicus the man -
6 Promise keeping logic and authority of keeping promises
4 Proof the concept and possibility of proof
7 Proof by natural deduction proofs built from introduction and elimination rules
3 Proof by sequents proof were every step is a proof and not just a formula
8 Proof by tableau proof by eliminating branches on inference trees
7 Proof from assumptions proofs which add assumptions to axioms and rules
6 Proof from axioms proofs built up from some initially accepted truths
5 Proof in mathematics establishing new certainties from a starting point
5 Proof of God using reason to convince of God's existence
3 Proof systems general ideas about the different proof systems
18 Properties, as predicates properties as purely linguistic concepts
28 Properties, categorical properties used by us to categorise things
14 Properties, denial of rejection of the category of properties
15 Properties, emergent new properties emerging from lower levels
13 Properties, natural the properties which occur in nature
47 Properties, nature of what exactly a property is
4 Properties, structural the configuration of properties is itself a property
5 Property (λ-) abstraction symbolising a property expressed in a sentence
17 Property dualism mind is a non-reducible physical property
5 Propositional attitudes attitudes to propositions, such as belief, desire, hope, regret
9 Propositional logic overview of the logical relationships between propositions
1 Propositional logic completeness there is a proof for every valid formula
2 Propositional logic soundness any formula which has a proof is a valid formula
18 Propositional logic, axioms statements treated as true without question
18 Propositional logic, basic theorems very useful sequents provable in propositional logic
14 Propositional logic, derivation rules basic rules used in proofs of propositional logic
9 Propositional logic, symbols the main symbols used for propositional and further logics
16 Propositional logic, terminology definitions of the main concepts in propositional logic
16 Propositions ideas that exist independently from any language
14 Propositions critique view that propositions do not exist
13 Propositions, support for reasons for believing in propositions
4 Propositions, types of distinguishing varieties of propositions
16 Propostions, nature of what we should take propositions to actually be
2 Protagoras the man flourished in Athens in 430 BCE (from Abdera, in the north)
21 Psuché Greek concept of the mind/soul/life
2 Psychologism in mathematics maths only exists as human psychological states
2 Psychology general structure of the mind's operations
7 Punishment inflicting harm as a response to anti-social behaviour
7 Punishment as retribution inflicting harm on someone because they deserve it
8 Pure reason idea of reason as independent of natural constraints
3 Putnam the man American philosopher of science and language, b.1926
1 Pyrrho of Elis the man born at Elis, fl. 325 BCE
7 Pythagoras the man flourished in South Italy in 510 BCE (from Samos)
8 Pythagoreanism belief that numbers are the essence of reality
4 Pythagoreans believers in mathematics - followers of Pythagoras
Q
37 Qualia raw experiences, such as the redness of a red object
16 Quantification in logic general ideas about expressing quantities of objects
23 Quantification, plural quantifiers pick out collections, not just 'one+' or 'all'
18 Quantification, substitutional quantifiers range over expressions instead of objects
4 Quantification, unorthodox non-classical ways of referring to the quantity of objects
3 Quantifier, existential ∃ symbol showing a variable refers to 'at least one' object
3 Quantifier, universal ∀ symbol showing a variable refers to 'all' objects
9 Quantifiers, classical the standard universal and existential quantifiers
1 Question begging taking for granted the very thing you are trying to prove
6 Quine the man American logician and empiricist, 1908-2000
R
33 Rationalism reason as ultimate basis of all knowledge
28 Rationality the mental capacity for reason and logic
1 Rawls the man American social philosopher, 1921-2002
17 Realism about externals commitment to a real world behind experiences
22 Reality the concept of what exists independent of our minds
21 Reason the general role of reason in mind and living
8 Reason for existence why does anything exist at all?
20 Reason, its aims what good reasoning aims to achieve
13 Reason, its status the importance of reason in human life
5 Reasons to act mental content as the justification of actions
5 Recollection, doctrine of innate ideas as memories from a previous life
1 Reductio ad absurdum refuting by reducing to absurdity
10 Reductionism critique arguments against reducing mind to brain
21 Reductionism of mind all mental events can be explained physically
31 Reference as direct reference is fixed by direct links to objects
7 Reference by context reference by context of an utterance
13 Reference by semantics reference by inherent character of an expression
9 Reference by speaker reference as resting on speakers' intentions
7 Reference failure a statement which fails to connect to reality
32 Reference in language general ideas about reference
1 Reid the man Scottish philosopher of common sense, 1710-1796
10 Relations in logic role of terms which connect objects into relationships
3 Relations, ancestral a particular transitive type of relation
1 Relations, equivalence a transitive, symmetrical, reflexive relation
5 Relations, internal being related as an intrinsic feature of an object
21 Relations, nature of general features of the category of relations
32 Relativism knowledge varies according to points of view
18 Relativism critique criticism of the idea that there are only points of view
7 Relevant logic logic which requires some relevance of an antecedent to a consequent
19 Religious belief beliefs in a conscious supernatural reality
1 Religious experience proving God's existence from direct human experience
3 Religious falsification whether any evidence could falsify a religious claim
3 Religious meaning whether religious language lacks real meaning
3 Religious verification whether a religious claim could be verified
1 Renaissance, the the great rebirth of knowledge, roughly 1420-1620
19 Representation in perception theory that mind represents in order to perceive
7 Representative realism we know reality via mental representations
25 Responsibility degree of freedom needed for moral responsibility
18 Rhetoric use of language for emotional influence
8 Right feelings the feelings required for a virtuous disposition
6 Right in ethics deciding the morally best action to perform
2 Rights, practical the entitlement of some to be treated morally
17 Rigid designation in identity items with fixed identity in all possible worlds
5 Rivers' identity is a river the same as the water in the river?
1 Romanticism rebellion against the Enlightenment, for feeling and sincerity
2 Rousseau the man Swiss social thinker, 1712-1778
7 Rulers issue of who should rule a society
17 Russell the man British empiricist & peace campaigner, 1872-1970
1 Ryle the man British logical positivist & behaviourist, 1900-1976
S
5 Sapir-Whorf hypothesis 'My language IS my reality'
7 Sartre the man French existentialist, 1905-1980
9 Satisfaction in logic evaluating as True after all truth assignments are made
43 Scepticism general doubts about the possibility of knowledge
15 Scepticism critique view that scepticism is an impossible view
8 Schopenhauer the man German philosopher of the will, 1788-1860
13 Science, its aims knowledge gained by experiments
48 Scientific essentialism Basics of essence as foundation of the laws
11 Scientific essentialism critique Objections to essences in scientific investigation
12 Scientific essentialist necessity Natural necessity deriving from essences of kinds
20 Scientific theory a generalised explanation of natural events
22 Scientism science is the way to solve philosophical problems
3 Searle the man American philosopher of mind, b.1932
16 Self and memory relationship between the sense of Self and memories
11 Self and the body extent to which the body is essential to a Self
17 Self as associations Self is a unity formed by associating mental events
7 Self as Cartesian ego the Self as a non-physical core of reason and understanding
7 Self as essential the Self as the essence of a human or mind
3 Self as ethical the Self as an inseparable part of moral life
6 Self as Kantian ego Kant's view that the Self is a necessary pre-condition for experience
8 Self as meta-awareness Self as concerned with awareness of awareness
17 Self as psychological continuity the Self as the continuity of our conscious existence
12 Self as psychological, critique criticisms the Self as continuity of consciousness
4 Self as spiritual idea that the Self is a different substance
2 Self as the brain personal identity is the same as the brain
14 Self as undetectable doubts about perception of the Self by experience
24 Self, denial of denial that there is any such thing as a 'Self'
13 Self, is persistance problems of the persistence of Self over time
4 Self, known a priori Self can be inferred to exist, rather than experienced
11 Self-evidence immediate knowledge requiring no outside support
10 Self-Identity concept of an object being identical with itself
15 Selfishness view that people are actually motivated by selfishness
13 Self-Knowledge directly acquiring knowledge of our Selves
7 Self's inner properties internal properties possessed by a Self
10 Semantics general ideas about formal semantic theory
13 Semantics of logic logic when interpreted, rather than mere formal systems
3 Seneca the man Stoic, and chief adviser to Emperor Nero, 4 BCE-65
16 Sense-data, nature of what sense-data would consist of
12 Sense-data, problems difficulties with the concept of sense-data
22 Sense-data, theory theory that sense-data actually exist
3 Sense-data, unperceived the status of sense-data when not perceived
18 Set axioms general points about the basics of set theory
28 Set axioms, Choice axiom for a new set by sampling
2 Set axioms, Comprehension axiom saying a set exists which satisfies a predicate
6 Set axioms, Constructibility V=L possible axiom saying all sets are constructible
1 Set axioms, Empty Set axiom asserting that there is an empty set
2 Set axioms, Existence axiom that gets sets started
6 Set axioms, Extension axiom concerning what makes a set
4 Set axioms, Foundation axiom saying all sets have a preceding basis
9 Set axioms, Infinity axiom for a vast set based on successors
4 Set axioms, Pairing axiom for new sets by combination
3 Set axioms, Powers axiom for a new set from any given set
2 Set axioms, Reducibility outdated axiom saying functions reduce to basics
3 Set axioms, Replacement axiom saying the bijection of any set is also a set
3 Set axioms, Separation axiom that new sets must be separated from old ones
2 Set axioms, Specification axiom to specify new sets
3 Set axioms, Unions axiom for new sets from parts
16 Set Theory general ideas concerning the theory of sets
21 Set theory critique objections to the whole idea of set theory
3 Set theory paradoxes
3 Set theory, basic theorems useful simple theorems derived within set theory
19 Set theory, symbols the symbols which are distinctive of set theory
36 Set theory, terminology main concepts which are distinctive of set theory
22 Sets and mathematics relationship between set theory and mathematics
22 Sets, empty/null the status of a set having no members
7 Sets, infinite sets which contain an infinity of members
7 Sets, natural which sets are natural, rather than conventional
9 Sets, their existence whether sets exist apart from their members
1 Sets, types of general ways of categorising types of set
7 Sets, unit/singleton the status of a set having a single member
1 Sextus Empiricus the man probably a doctor, fl. c. 180 CE
4 Sexual morality special moral problems of sexual relationships
14 Ship of Theseus does his ship remain if its parts are steadily changed?
13 Singular terms any phrase intended to pick out a single object
13 Social principles general rules that might guide a society
7 Social structure general ways in which a society can be organised
12 Socrates the man born in Athens in 470 BCE; executed there in 399
2 Socratics immediate followers of Socrates in Athens c. 390 BCE
5 Solipsism only the contents of the thinker's mind exist
1 Sophists sceptical teachers who flourished c. 440 BCE
12 Soul the nature of the surviving part of a person
7 Soundness in logic whether all formal deductions always lead to truth
18 Space general ideas about space
7 Space-Time relative space and time, treated as one system
9 Speaker's intention meaning meaning is what speaker's want to communicate
4 Species essence each animal species has an essence
14 Spinoza the man Facts about Spinoza's career, 1632-1677
4 Split consciousness problems with the possibility of dividing consciousness or brain
20 Statue and clay is a statue the same object as its constituting clay?
3 Stoics followers of Zeno of Citium in the Stoa, c.290-100 BCE
5 Strict Implication it can never be that P is true and Q is false
19 Structuralism critique objections to structuralism about mathematics
47 Structuralism in mathematics general ideas concerning the structuralist approach
13 Structuralism, nominalist structuralism that denies real objects or real structures
12 Structuralism, platonist structuralism that accepts real objects or real structures
4 Structures fixed relational assemblages of objects
2 Stuff, mixed general masses with more than one ingredient
9 Stuff, pure general masses which are homogeneous
22 Subjectivism knowledge is entirely 'down to the individual'
33 Substance general ideas about the concept of substance
15 Substance critique denial of any such thing as substance
26 Substance defined attempts to define exactly what a substance is
14 Substance, types of categories into which substances can be placed
10 Substratum each thing has something which supports its properties
16 Sufficient reason claim that there is a reason for everything
15 Suicide morality of a person taking their own life
1 Superman/ übermensch idea that some people are superior to social morality
17 Supervaluation for vagueness using second-order judgements on vague entities
28 Supervenience inseparably close relationship in at least one direction
17 Supervenience of mind total mapping of thoughts onto brain events
9 Syllogisms of Aristotle general ideas about formal arguments in syllogism form
8 Syllogistic logic Aristotle's original account of formal syllogistic logic
7 Synonymy whether two items can have identical meaning
T
3 Taoism suppress desire and reestablish unity with the cosmos
1 Tarski the man Polish logician with theory of truth, 1901-1983
5 Taste the nature and status of good taste
1 Tautological truth sentences held to be true in all circumstances
20 Teleological proof critique denying that order and harmony prove God
21 Teleological proof of God proving God's existence from natural order and harmony
8 Temperance as virtue restraint and rational self-control as a virtue
2 Temporal logic Inferences across past, present and future
10 Temporal parts things have parts in time, as they do in space
1 Term logic Sommers' modern updating of syllogistic logic
2 Thales the man natural philosopher who made water crucial, c.585 BCE
7 Theophrastus the man Friend of Aristotle and head of the Lyceum, 371 - 287 BCE
2 Theory holism in science theories can only be grasped as part of the whole
21 Thought intentional activity of the mind
2 Thought experiments imagining a situation to explore the principles involved
19 Time general ideas about time
13 Time, and change relationship between time and physical change
4 Time, as subjective time as a feature of human consciousness
2 Time, beginning of whether time has a beginning
8 Time, existence of whether time has independent existence
6 Time, tensed the A-series, with the present as a distinctive moment
4 Time, tenseless the B-series, of equal times, with no past-present-future
2 Transcendental argument backwards reasoning to accepting presuppositions
22 Transworld identity can possible things be the same as actual things?
30 Tropes the principles and concepts of trope theory
16 Tropes critique arguments against the existence of tropes
36 Truth whether truth exists, and what it is
12 Truth as coherence truth is when propositions effectively fit together
6 Truth as coherence critique criticism of the coherence theory of truth
25 Truth as correspondence theory that truth is a successful match between mental states and reality
17 Truth as correspondence critique criticism of the correspondence theory of truth
10 Truth as redundant truth is an unnecessary meaningless concept
17 Truth bearers question of what mental items are capable of truth and falsehood
5 Truth supervenes truths always supervene on facts
6 Truth tables displaying logical relations in terms of true and false
11 Truth, deflationary truth has no nature, and refers to nothing
12 Truth, formal, in logic the role of truth in various systems of formal logic
9 Truth, its value why anyone might desire truth
14 Truth, logical statements held to be true because of a logic system
6 Truth, minimalist truth defined formally, without ontology
12 Truth, pragmatic theory truth is no more than what consistently works
5 Truth, pragmatic theory critique objections to the pragmatic theory of truth
23 Truth, semantic theory truth is only meaningful in relation to a sentences
11 Truth, subjective truth is just relative, and a personal viewpoint
14 Truth-conditional semantics giving meaning by specifying how sentences would be true
14 Truth-conditions meaning general idea that meaning is the situation making a sentence true
17 Truthmakers general ideas truths needing makers
14 Truthmakers, against against truths requiring 'makers'
1 Truths about the future problem of truth when it refers to the future
5 Turing machines theoretical machine that implements thinking
6 Turing test possibility of a machine passing itself as human
16 Twin Earth we may not know what we mean by 'water'
16 Two-dimensional semantics giving meaning by possible worlds with two separate components
13 Type Identity identity as falling within a particular category
13 Type theory in logicism theory that maths is a hierarchy of set types
11 Tyranny a single individual with total social power
U
8 Unconscious mind workings of mind hidden from consciousness
10 Understanding knowledge of sources, causes and explanations
2 Unfairness problem of unequal distribution of pleasure or pain
3 Unique cosmos whether there may be other universes
38 Universalisability seeing rules for action as universal guidelines
33 Universals single concepts applying to many things
3 Universals as concepts universals taken to exist just as mental features
8 Universals instantiated universals only existing in actual things
19 Universals, need for things which only universals seem to explain
11 Universals, uninstantiated universals existing apart from their actual instances
6 Unlimited, the one substance from which everything comes
20 Use theory of meaning the meaning of lanuage is its use
30 Utilitarianism belief that good is maximising happiness
1 Utilitarianism, ideal maximising ideal goods for everyone
2 Utilitarianism, rule doing what generally leads to increased happiness
V
9 Vagueness, as epistemic vagueness as entirely confined to our understanding
6 Vagueness, degrees of placing values on degrees of vagueness
8 Vagueness, in reality genuine vagueness in the entities of reality
30 Vagueness, problem of the initial difficulties with uncertain identity
25 Value the degree of desirability and worth in things
9 Variables in logic symbols which do not yet have a determined value
35 Verificationism in meaning meaning is tied to observation and verification
4 Verisimilitude approximation to, or approach to, the truth
13 Virtue theory critique reasons against virtue theory
15 Virtue, its basis foundation and justification for belief in virtues
43 Virtue, motivation for why people might want to be virtuous
4 Virtue, natural some virtue is born in us
38 Virtue, nature of morality as aiming to produce good persons
23 Virtue, teaching it whether people can be taught to be virtuous
11 Virtue, unity of all virtues are variants of a single thing
25 Virtues qualities considered to make a person excellent
3 Virtues, absolute virtues that have no compromise or mean
W
8 War violent conflict as a resolution of disagreements
16 Weakness of will failure of reason to control the will in an action
14 Wealth as virtue possession of money as a possible virtue
17 Will the decision-making part of the mind
5 William of Ockham the man Born in Surrey, a Christian nominalist, 1295 - 1349
34 Wisdom, nature of what elements constitute true wisdom
18 Wise people sort of character which accompanies wisdom
17 Wittgenstein the man Information about Wittgenstein himself
X
5 Xenocrates the man Head of the Platonic Academy in Athens, 396 - 314
1 Xenophanes the man Born at Colophon. Teacher of Parmenides, fl 530 BCE
Z
3 Zen Buddhism achieve radiant wordless enlightenment by meditation
4 Zeno of Citium the man from Cyprus, founder of Stoic school, fl. 294
2 Zeno of Elea the man flourished in Elea, Italy, in 445 BCE
11 Zombies possible complete human, but lacking awareness
4 Zoroastrianism ancient Persian, with one god, and Zoroaster as prophet