Ancient Philosophical Influences Notes

Ancient Philosophical Influences


Key Terms:


 Forms: A name Plato gave to ideal concepts
 Reason: Using logical steps and though processes in
order to reach conclusions
 Rationalist: Someone who thinks that the primary
source of knowledge is reason
 Empiricist: Someone who thinks that the primary source
of knowledge is experience gained through the five
senses
 Prime mover: Aristotle’s concept of the ultimate cause
of movement and change in the universe
 Socratic method: The method of philosophical reasoning
which involves critical questioning
 Analogy: A comparison between one thing and another
in an attempt to clarify meaning
 Transcendent: Beyond this world and outside the realms
of ordinary experience
 Dualism: The belief that reality can be divided into two
distinct parts, such as good and evil, or physical and
non-physical
 Aetion: An explanatory factor, a reason or cause for
something
 Telos: the end, or purpose of something
 Theist: Someone who believes in a God or gods