PDU3701
EXAM PACK
2023
QUESTIONS
AND
ANSWERS
, EDC1015
SUMMARY
EDC1015
Introduction:
All are Philosophers
World’s revolutionaries: World’s Feminists:
Karl Marx World’s great thinkers:
Mary Wollenstonecraft
Jesus Plato
Liz Sanger
Socrates Augustine Pankhursts
Mahatma Ganhdi Albert Einstein
Germaine Greer
Martin Luther King Friedrich Nietzsche Mary Daly
Nelson Mandela Jacques Derrida
Ama Ata Aidoo
Maria Nzomo
Neuma Aguiar
, Logical empiricism – method of enquiry in philosophy Empiricism – the method of inquiry in
which is concerned with meaning of words + philosophy which argues that
sentences. experience gained through the
origins in British philosophy traditional 5 senses gives us our
question: What is the meaning of this word or most reliable form of information.
sentence?
claims that scientific and mathematical statements
give us the most reliable form of truth. Promoters of empiricism:
1. John Locke (philosopher)
2. Bishop Berkeley (philosopher)
Promoters of logical empiricism: 3. David Hume (philosopher) – most convincing
1. Alfred Ayer (philosopher) empiricists
2. Bertrand Russell (philosopher) – Focused on logic 4. Richard Dawkins (scientist and philosopher)
and facts 5. Colin Evers (educationist)
3. Ludwig Wittgenstein (mathematician) 6. Michel Foucault (philosopher)
4. Stephen Hawking (scientist)
5. Kwasi Wiredu (African philosopher)
6. If we had to ignore empiricism as a method of Empiricism helps us:
enquiry, we will fail to learn from our experiences. As 2. Understand how our physical world
a result, we will be vulnerable to anything that is operates
false. 3. Test the truth of certain claims
4. Refute that which is false
Logical empiricism can help us: 5. Respect the natural laws of the universe
1. Think clearly 6. Learn from experience
2. Be precise in what we mean
3. Be more logical
Failings of empiricism:
4. Solve problems
1. It places too much emphasis on
5. Identify the problems which, at present, we
science
cannot solve
2. It ignores human values
3. It views human beings as
Logical empiricism can’t help us with: machines
1. Find the meaning of life 4. It tends to ignore that which
2. Moral problems cannot be explained scientifically
3. Life choices 5. It confines truth to that which can
4. Facing our own mortality EDC1015 be experienced through the
5. our own suffering Chapter 1 – Thinking senses
clearly and learning
from experience
Critical rationalism – philosophy that encourages Five characteristics that identify Critical
questioning and open mindedness. rationalists:
1. Question what people in authority tell us
Promoters of critical rationalism: 2. Be more open to what other people think
2. Stephan Hawking (British scientist) 3. Examine our own opinions carefully
3. Albert Einstein (scientist) 4. Be more tolerant and understanding
4. Karl Popper (philosopher) 5. Solve problems
5. Godwin Sogolo (African philosopher)
6. Helen Suzman (SA politician) Critical rationalism cant help:
7. Nelson Mandela (former SA president) 1. Make quick decisions
2. Find the meaning of life
3. Deal with people who are dishonest
Critical rationalism can help: 4. It can make us feel insecure
1. Question what people in authority tell us
5. The problem of suffering
2. Be more open to what other people think
3. Examine our own opinions more carefully
4. Be more tolerant and understanding.
5. Solve problems EDC1015
Chapter 2 – Asking
questions
, Existentialism – What is the meaning of life? They Nihilism – Opposite of existentialism. Life
believe that the most important thing we should do is to has no meaning, pointless to try living a
discover, for ourselves, the meaning of life. good or worthwhile life.
Motto of Nihilism is “So what?”
Well known existentialist philosophers: Nihilism can help free people but also can
1. Friedrich Nietzsche cause violence and chaos.
2. Michel Foucault
3. Jacques Derrida
The teaching of existentialists:
4. Jean Baudrillard
1. Discover for ourselves the meaning of life
5. Luce Irigary
2. There is no one meaning to life
6. Jean-Paul Sartre
3. Ask ourselves: “Is this how I want to live my life?”
7. Frantz Fanon
8. Simone de Beauvoir
9. WEB du Bois Failings of existentialism:
1. It may make us too trusting
Existentialism can help us: 2. It can be confusing
1. Question other people’s ideas and values 3. It may lead to despair
2. Be more open about ourselves 4. It may leave us feeling helpless and angry
3. Trust our instincts 5. It may be seriously disruptive
4. Spot fakes
5. Enjoy life more EDC1015
Chapter 3 – How in
the world can we Black Existentialism focuses on
give our lives universal sense of superiority to or
meaning? hatred of black people
EXAM PACK
2023
QUESTIONS
AND
ANSWERS
, EDC1015
SUMMARY
EDC1015
Introduction:
All are Philosophers
World’s revolutionaries: World’s Feminists:
Karl Marx World’s great thinkers:
Mary Wollenstonecraft
Jesus Plato
Liz Sanger
Socrates Augustine Pankhursts
Mahatma Ganhdi Albert Einstein
Germaine Greer
Martin Luther King Friedrich Nietzsche Mary Daly
Nelson Mandela Jacques Derrida
Ama Ata Aidoo
Maria Nzomo
Neuma Aguiar
, Logical empiricism – method of enquiry in philosophy Empiricism – the method of inquiry in
which is concerned with meaning of words + philosophy which argues that
sentences. experience gained through the
origins in British philosophy traditional 5 senses gives us our
question: What is the meaning of this word or most reliable form of information.
sentence?
claims that scientific and mathematical statements
give us the most reliable form of truth. Promoters of empiricism:
1. John Locke (philosopher)
2. Bishop Berkeley (philosopher)
Promoters of logical empiricism: 3. David Hume (philosopher) – most convincing
1. Alfred Ayer (philosopher) empiricists
2. Bertrand Russell (philosopher) – Focused on logic 4. Richard Dawkins (scientist and philosopher)
and facts 5. Colin Evers (educationist)
3. Ludwig Wittgenstein (mathematician) 6. Michel Foucault (philosopher)
4. Stephen Hawking (scientist)
5. Kwasi Wiredu (African philosopher)
6. If we had to ignore empiricism as a method of Empiricism helps us:
enquiry, we will fail to learn from our experiences. As 2. Understand how our physical world
a result, we will be vulnerable to anything that is operates
false. 3. Test the truth of certain claims
4. Refute that which is false
Logical empiricism can help us: 5. Respect the natural laws of the universe
1. Think clearly 6. Learn from experience
2. Be precise in what we mean
3. Be more logical
Failings of empiricism:
4. Solve problems
1. It places too much emphasis on
5. Identify the problems which, at present, we
science
cannot solve
2. It ignores human values
3. It views human beings as
Logical empiricism can’t help us with: machines
1. Find the meaning of life 4. It tends to ignore that which
2. Moral problems cannot be explained scientifically
3. Life choices 5. It confines truth to that which can
4. Facing our own mortality EDC1015 be experienced through the
5. our own suffering Chapter 1 – Thinking senses
clearly and learning
from experience
Critical rationalism – philosophy that encourages Five characteristics that identify Critical
questioning and open mindedness. rationalists:
1. Question what people in authority tell us
Promoters of critical rationalism: 2. Be more open to what other people think
2. Stephan Hawking (British scientist) 3. Examine our own opinions carefully
3. Albert Einstein (scientist) 4. Be more tolerant and understanding
4. Karl Popper (philosopher) 5. Solve problems
5. Godwin Sogolo (African philosopher)
6. Helen Suzman (SA politician) Critical rationalism cant help:
7. Nelson Mandela (former SA president) 1. Make quick decisions
2. Find the meaning of life
3. Deal with people who are dishonest
Critical rationalism can help: 4. It can make us feel insecure
1. Question what people in authority tell us
5. The problem of suffering
2. Be more open to what other people think
3. Examine our own opinions more carefully
4. Be more tolerant and understanding.
5. Solve problems EDC1015
Chapter 2 – Asking
questions
, Existentialism – What is the meaning of life? They Nihilism – Opposite of existentialism. Life
believe that the most important thing we should do is to has no meaning, pointless to try living a
discover, for ourselves, the meaning of life. good or worthwhile life.
Motto of Nihilism is “So what?”
Well known existentialist philosophers: Nihilism can help free people but also can
1. Friedrich Nietzsche cause violence and chaos.
2. Michel Foucault
3. Jacques Derrida
The teaching of existentialists:
4. Jean Baudrillard
1. Discover for ourselves the meaning of life
5. Luce Irigary
2. There is no one meaning to life
6. Jean-Paul Sartre
3. Ask ourselves: “Is this how I want to live my life?”
7. Frantz Fanon
8. Simone de Beauvoir
9. WEB du Bois Failings of existentialism:
1. It may make us too trusting
Existentialism can help us: 2. It can be confusing
1. Question other people’s ideas and values 3. It may lead to despair
2. Be more open about ourselves 4. It may leave us feeling helpless and angry
3. Trust our instincts 5. It may be seriously disruptive
4. Spot fakes
5. Enjoy life more EDC1015
Chapter 3 – How in
the world can we Black Existentialism focuses on
give our lives universal sense of superiority to or
meaning? hatred of black people
