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UNIVERSITY EXAMINATIONS
October/November 2020
PLS 1501
Introduction to Western Philosophy
100 Marks
Duration: 24 Hours
This paper consists of 2 pages including this cover page.
Instructions:
Your exam consists of 3 QUESTIONS.
SECTION A which consists of ONE QUESTION is COMPULSORY and counts 50 marks You
can choose to answer ANY TWO of the FOUR QUESTIONS under SECTION B
All 3 answers must be submitted as part of A SINGLE word file/ text DOCUMENT.
Please remember to download the plagiarism declaration available on MyUNISA and include
a completed version in your final submission.
Please consult your 203 tutorial letter on MyUNISA for submission instructions. Good luck
and all of the best.
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marketplace
SECTION A [50 marks]
The question in this section is compulsory.
1. Write an essay {maximum 1000 words} in which in light of your studies this
semester, provide a detailed answer to the following interrelated
questions (which must form the main sections of your essay). (i) What is
Western philosophy? (ii) What value, if any, can it in your opinion
contribute to South African society? [in answering this question, you are
encouraged to make recourse to etymology, branches, history and
historical figures in philosophy]
SECTION B [50 marks]
Choose any 2 questions in this section.
2. Please discuss Aristotle’s doctrine of the four causes applying it to the an
illustrated visualisation of the microscopic coronavirus as seen in fig 1 .
hereunder. [In your answer you must first set out Aristotle’s doctrine of
the four causes and use Fig 1 as your example/ illustration].{maximum
500 words} [25 marks]
Figure 1 1
1. Discuss in detail Plato’s allegory of the cave and its philosophical (epistemological
and political) significance {maximum 500 words}
[25 marks]
2. Critically discuss Aquinas’ 5 proofs for the existence of God {maximum 500 words}
[25marks]
3. Discuss St Augustine’s Epistemology with a special reference to the role of God
within it. {maximum 500 words} [25 marks]
TOTAL [100 MARKS]
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SECTION A [50 marks]
The question in this section is compulsory.
1. Write an essay {maximum 1000 words} in which in light of your studies this
semester, provide a detailed answer to the following interrelated questions
(which must form the main sections of your essay). (i) What is Western
philosophy? (ii) What value, if any, can it in your opinion contribute to
South African society? [in answering this question, you are encouraged to
discuss etymology(of ‘philosophy’), branches, history and historical figures
in philosophy]
Introduction
Philosophy is defined as the study of the fundamental nature of knowledge, its
etymology comes from the Greek word ‘philosophia’. Philo meaning ‘love of’ and
Sophia meaning ‘knowledge’. Western philosophy refers specifically to the
philosophic pursuits of the western world that emerged out Greece. The earliest
philosophical movement being the Presocratics in 624 BC.
What distinguishes philosophy from other fields of study is its subject
matter and methodology. Western philosophy can be broken down
into three main branches Metaphysics, epistemology and ethics.
The study of existence is often referred to as "metaphysics" we examine
what nature of ‘stuff’ is.
While the study of knowledge is called "epistemology". Epistemology
examines belief, opinion and objective knowledge. What do we know and
how do we know it.
The study of values can be divided into two main branches: morality ("ethics")
and beauty ("aesthetics").
The Aims Of Philosophy
1. What is knowledge?
This refers to the following kinds of issues and questions: How can we know
anything, Is there absolutes, universal truths. it can help people understand
whether their closely-held derive from objective or subjective information. In a
counry with such a history of division, “unlearning” or atleast questioning what
we think we is essential.
2. How should we conduct ourselves?
What exactly is nature of the human condition. What is morality and what
constitutes "the good." When we examine the history of South Africa we must
What is a valued life and valued way of being?
3. How should we govern ourselves?
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This merges questions one and two into a practical and social angle. That is,
given our state of knowledge and given our values for what constitutes the good,
what should our social and political organizations look like?
Philosophy today
What can western philosophy contribute to a modern South African society.
Rationality, Humanism,
Unfortunately, the golden age of philosophy may be over and recently academia
has instead shifted into the age of empirical science (what do the data say?) and
shallow economic utilitarianism
There is much emerging evidence that our shallow, unreflective systems of
justification are threatening our very existence. As such, I hope there is a
quick and profound return to reflecting on these questions with depth and
sophistication.
Conclusion
Plato said that thinking is "the mind in conversation with itself," and core
modes of self- interrogation
Roman thinkers and philosophers grappled with many of the same political and
social issues we find ourselves facing today. The Classical period not only lay the
foundations of modern democracy it also offers answers in an ever changing
political world
This study source was downloaded by 100000799301222 from CourseHero.com on 10-19-2021 06:23:17 GMT -05:00
Downloaded by: miketervis |
https://www.coursehero.com/file/100045288/examdocx/ Distribution of this document is
illegal
marketplace
UNIVERSITY EXAMINATIONS
October/November 2020
PLS 1501
Introduction to Western Philosophy
100 Marks
Duration: 24 Hours
This paper consists of 2 pages including this cover page.
Instructions:
Your exam consists of 3 QUESTIONS.
SECTION A which consists of ONE QUESTION is COMPULSORY and counts 50 marks You
can choose to answer ANY TWO of the FOUR QUESTIONS under SECTION B
All 3 answers must be submitted as part of A SINGLE word file/ text DOCUMENT.
Please remember to download the plagiarism declaration available on MyUNISA and include
a completed version in your final submission.
Please consult your 203 tutorial letter on MyUNISA for submission instructions. Good luck
and all of the best.
, Stuvia.com - The study-notes
marketplace
SECTION A [50 marks]
The question in this section is compulsory.
1. Write an essay {maximum 1000 words} in which in light of your studies this
semester, provide a detailed answer to the following interrelated
questions (which must form the main sections of your essay). (i) What is
Western philosophy? (ii) What value, if any, can it in your opinion
contribute to South African society? [in answering this question, you are
encouraged to make recourse to etymology, branches, history and
historical figures in philosophy]
SECTION B [50 marks]
Choose any 2 questions in this section.
2. Please discuss Aristotle’s doctrine of the four causes applying it to the an
illustrated visualisation of the microscopic coronavirus as seen in fig 1 .
hereunder. [In your answer you must first set out Aristotle’s doctrine of
the four causes and use Fig 1 as your example/ illustration].{maximum
500 words} [25 marks]
Figure 1 1
1. Discuss in detail Plato’s allegory of the cave and its philosophical (epistemological
and political) significance {maximum 500 words}
[25 marks]
2. Critically discuss Aquinas’ 5 proofs for the existence of God {maximum 500 words}
[25marks]
3. Discuss St Augustine’s Epistemology with a special reference to the role of God
within it. {maximum 500 words} [25 marks]
TOTAL [100 MARKS]
, Stuvia.com - The study-notes
marketplace
SECTION A [50 marks]
The question in this section is compulsory.
1. Write an essay {maximum 1000 words} in which in light of your studies this
semester, provide a detailed answer to the following interrelated questions
(which must form the main sections of your essay). (i) What is Western
philosophy? (ii) What value, if any, can it in your opinion contribute to
South African society? [in answering this question, you are encouraged to
discuss etymology(of ‘philosophy’), branches, history and historical figures
in philosophy]
Introduction
Philosophy is defined as the study of the fundamental nature of knowledge, its
etymology comes from the Greek word ‘philosophia’. Philo meaning ‘love of’ and
Sophia meaning ‘knowledge’. Western philosophy refers specifically to the
philosophic pursuits of the western world that emerged out Greece. The earliest
philosophical movement being the Presocratics in 624 BC.
What distinguishes philosophy from other fields of study is its subject
matter and methodology. Western philosophy can be broken down
into three main branches Metaphysics, epistemology and ethics.
The study of existence is often referred to as "metaphysics" we examine
what nature of ‘stuff’ is.
While the study of knowledge is called "epistemology". Epistemology
examines belief, opinion and objective knowledge. What do we know and
how do we know it.
The study of values can be divided into two main branches: morality ("ethics")
and beauty ("aesthetics").
The Aims Of Philosophy
1. What is knowledge?
This refers to the following kinds of issues and questions: How can we know
anything, Is there absolutes, universal truths. it can help people understand
whether their closely-held derive from objective or subjective information. In a
counry with such a history of division, “unlearning” or atleast questioning what
we think we is essential.
2. How should we conduct ourselves?
What exactly is nature of the human condition. What is morality and what
constitutes "the good." When we examine the history of South Africa we must
What is a valued life and valued way of being?
3. How should we govern ourselves?
This study source was downloaded by 100000799301222 from CourseHero.com on 10-19-2021 06:23:17 GMT -05:00
Downloaded by: miketervis |
https://www.coursehero.com/file/100045288/examdocx/ Distribution of this document is
illegal
, Stuvia.com - The study-notes
marketplace
This merges questions one and two into a practical and social angle. That is,
given our state of knowledge and given our values for what constitutes the good,
what should our social and political organizations look like?
Philosophy today
What can western philosophy contribute to a modern South African society.
Rationality, Humanism,
Unfortunately, the golden age of philosophy may be over and recently academia
has instead shifted into the age of empirical science (what do the data say?) and
shallow economic utilitarianism
There is much emerging evidence that our shallow, unreflective systems of
justification are threatening our very existence. As such, I hope there is a
quick and profound return to reflecting on these questions with depth and
sophistication.
Conclusion
Plato said that thinking is "the mind in conversation with itself," and core
modes of self- interrogation
Roman thinkers and philosophers grappled with many of the same political and
social issues we find ourselves facing today. The Classical period not only lay the
foundations of modern democracy it also offers answers in an ever changing
political world
This study source was downloaded by 100000799301222 from CourseHero.com on 10-19-2021 06:23:17 GMT -05:00
Downloaded by: miketervis |
https://www.coursehero.com/file/100045288/examdocx/ Distribution of this document is
illegal
