Key philosophy terms
by Anna Bromely

1. Deontology
1.1. Duty, obligation, rule based ethics
2. Metaphysics
2.1. Ontology
2.1.1. A branch of metaphysics dealing with the nature of being. The study of being, becoming, existence or reality.
3. Epistemology
3.1. Theory of knowledge, distinction between justified belief and opinion
3.1.1. Skepticism: Doubting claims to knowledge and challenging the adequacy and reliability of principles knowledge is based on
4. Reletivism
4.1. Knowledge exists in relation to society, culture and historical context. Not absolute.
5. Realism
5.1. Truth consists in an individual’s correspondence to reality. New observations bring us closer to understanding reality
6. Idealism
6.1. Objects of knowledge are dependent from thought
7. Monism
7.1. A view that attributes oneness. The doctrine of unity.
8. Dualism
8.1. Te theory that the mental and the physical, or mind and body or mind and brain, are, radically different kinds of things. Contrasts with Monism
9. Pluralism
9.1. The doctrine of multiplicity. A view whereby multiple things can coexist.
10. Eclecticism
10.1. Constructed new systems from parts of varying doctrines that seemed most reasonable. Stoics are an example
11. Metaethics
11.1. Focuses on what is morality itself. Explores status, foundations and scope of moral values, properties and words.
12. Phenomenology
12.1. The study of the structures of experience and consciousness.
13. Apriorism
13.1. Belief in A priori beliefs or principles
13.1.1. A priori: knowledge that comes from theoretical deduction rather than observation/experience
14. Existentialism
14.1. Emphasises individual existence, freedom and choice. Humans define their own meaning in life and try to make rational decisions despite living in an irrational world.
15. Humanism
15.1. An ethical stance that emphasises the value and agency of the individual. Prefers rationalism/empiricism over fideism.
16. Kantianism
16.1. Describes contemporary positions in mind, ethics and epistemology.
16.1.1. Kant's ethics are deontological, revolving entirely around duty, rather than emotions or end goals.