First Exam Study Guide

You will be given 12 identifications from Section I, from which you must answer 10. You will be given 2 questions from Section II, and you are to answer 1.

I. Identify the following in a short paragraph.
Ptolemy Copernicus Kepler 
Descartes: Method of doubt Against sense perception
Argument from dreams Evil genius Self-existence
res menta res extensa Seeming to perceive
Certainty of ideas Error
Hobbes: The cause of sense Fancy or phantasm
Imagination Use of inertia Memory
Dreams Reasoning Science
Spinoza: Substance Attribute
Mode Natura naturata/natura naturans Necessity
Final causality Degrees of perfection
Locke: Innate speculative principles Innate practical principles
Why virtue approved Innate idea of God Object of thinking
Origin of ideas Differences among men Simple ideas
Simple ideas of reflection Complex ideas Idea of power
Primary & secondary ideas
II. Write a 300-500 word essay on the following.

1. Discuss Galileo's influence on Descartes, Hobbes and Locke in terms of the "mathematization of nature."

2. What function does the doctrine of innate ideas play in Descartes' philosophical system? Does he provide a sufficient justification for the doctrine?

3. What are the major strengths and weaknesses of Spinoza's concept of God?

4. Spinoza sets out to make the Cartesian system consistent. How well does he succeed?

5. In what sense can we say that Descartes is the author/inventor of the modern subject?

6. How effective is Spinoza's neutral monism as a critique of Descartes' dualism and Hobbes' materialism?

7.  How effective is Locke's critique of innate ideas?