Philosophy of the Human Person

Examination #2

Some of the following questions will be on the next examination. You should be prepared to write on all of them.

1.Definitions, Thesis Statements & Distinctions (½ to 1 page)

reductionism

hylomorphism

difference in degree & difference in kind (Adler)

the easy & the hard problems of consciousness (Chalmers)

Aristotle’s three principles of change

2. Arguments— State the argument with numbered premises and intermediate conclusions indicated. Then say informally why the author thinks the premises are true. (1-2 pages)

Parmenides’ argument against the possibility of motion

Parmenides’ argument against the possibility of change

Searle’s Chinese Room argument

The AI Community’s argument that computers can think

4. Exposition (4 pages)

Parmenides’ challenge & the responses of Democritus & Aristotle

Democritus’ Legacy & Hylomorphism as foundations for a philosophical anthropology

The philosophical anthropology of Plato, Democritus & Aristotle (& the grounding of the latter two in a philosophy of nature