- KEY PHILOSOPHICAL TERMS -

TERM DEFINITION

AESTHETICS The study of beauty and art

The political theory that is sceptical of all moral claims.

ANARCHISM Advocates for the absence of hierarchical authority and the rejection of
centralised power
Promoting voluntary cooperation and self-governance

Knowledge or reasoning that is independent of experience or empirical

A PRIORI evidence
Based on innate understanding or logical deduction

Knowledge or reasoning that is derived from or dependent on experience

A POSTERIORI
or empirical evidence.

The relationship between cause and effect

.CAUSALITY
Suggests every event is the result of a preceding cause or causes

An ethical theory that evaluates the morality of an action based on its

CONSEQUENTIALISM
consequences or outcomes

Advocates for equality and equal rights for all individuals, regardless of
EGALITARIANISM
their socioeconomic status, gender, race, or other characteristics

An epistemological position that emphasises the importance of

EMPIRICISM experience and sensory perception in acquiring knowledge and
understanding the world.

EPISTEMOLOGY The branch of philosophy that deals with the study of knowledge

The belief we are each responsible for creating purpose or meaning in our
EXISTENTIALISM own lives
Focuses on the individual's existence, freedom, and subjective experience

Examines moral principles, values, and behaviors, addressing questions of

ETHICS
right and wrong/ good and bad

Metaphysical theory that emphasises that the mind and the body are two
DUALISM
separate things - Physical/ Non-physical

Associates reality to ideas in the mind rather than material objects

IDEALISM
Suggests that the mind shapes or constructs the external world
 METAPHYSICS Concerned with the fundamental nature of reality and existence

Moral principles are derived from immediate and intuitive awareness or

feelings, rather than from reasoning or empirical evidence.
MORAL INTUITIUISM
The existence of bjective moral truths in life inwhich humans are capable
to understand.

Emphasises the role of reason in determining moral principles and making

MORAL RATIONALISM ethical judgments
Argues that moral truths can be known through rational analysis

The study of being, existence, and reality

ONTOLOGY
Seeks the classification and explanation of entities

Asserts that everything that exists is ultimately reducible to or explainable

PHYSICALISM
by physical entities or processes

PHENOMENOLOGY Consciousness as experienced from a first-person point of view

The role of reason/ logical analysis in acquiring knowledge/ understanding

RATIONALISM
Asserts that reason is the primary source of knowledge

Proposes the existence of an external, objective reality that is independent

REALISM
of human thought or perception

Denies that moral judgement has any kind of ‘objective; or factual basis in
RELATIVISM
moral values

The view that some or all knowledge is impossible.

Questions the possibility of knowledge
SKEPTICISM Doubts the certainty/ reliability of knowledge claims
Emphasises the need for rigorous scrutiny and evidence before accepting
beliefs or truths.

THEISM Refers to the belief that there is one single God who is the creator of all

Concerned with the consequences of our actions

UTILITARIANISM Seeks to increase overall happiness and reduce suffering among a
significant group of people