Phil 110: Study Guide for Midterm 2

You should know the definitions of the following words for fill in the blank questions:

Materialism
Idealism
Dualism
Monism
Pluralism
Yin
Yang
Cosmology
Theory of Forms
Noumenal Realm
Phenomenal Realm
Platonic Dualism
Cartesian Dualism
Atman
Brahman
Primary Qualities
Secondary Qualities
Indirect Realism
Subjective Idealism

You should also be able to provide the following information:
  • Explain the role of "non-being" in Taoism.
  • Explain the role of Yin and Yang in Taoism.
  • Explain the Taoist cosmology.
  • Explain Plato's Sun Analogy
  • Explain Plato's Line Analogy
  • Explain Plato's Allegory of the Cave, including the conclusions we are supposed to draw from this allegory.
  • Explain Shankara's account of the relationship between Atman and Brahman.
  • Explain how Shankara thinks people become confused about this relationship.
  • Explain Locke's distinction between primary and secondary qualities.
  • Explain Berkeley's claim that "esse is percipi."
  • Explain Berkeley's argument for subjective idealism.
  • Explain the three arguments Berkeley gives against Locke's indirect realism.
  • Explain and illustrate with an example each of the four forms of integration that are associated with the Pre-Columbian Mesoamericans.
Lastly, be prepared to write an essay in which you discuss metaphysical themes in the film eXistenZ and compare those themes to other authors we have read.
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