Here I simply wanted to begin a series of posts with the definitions of terms I have used but may not have defined. This list is not exhaustive or complete, nor is it the sole one I will upload. It is subject to expansion, revision, and change as I decide to place more definitions in these three categories. Other definitions in separate categories will be uploaded at a later time.
PHILOSOPHY TERMS
Philosophy--study of belief systems, reality, and thought
Epistemology--study of knowledge, including how it is justified or obtained
Ontology--study of reality
Metaphysics--study of what exists
Theology--study of God
Natural theology--study of God based on the natural material world
Ethics--study of moral beliefs and what humans are morally obligated to do
Aesthetics--study of art and beauty
Other minds--phrase referring to minds that exist independent of and other than the mind of a particular individual
External world--space containing physical items that exist external to and independent of an individual
Philosophical zombie--a hypothetical being that appears and acts like an ordinary person which does not possess sentience or consciousness
Cognitive dissonance--condition of holding two contradictory or opposing beliefs simultaneously
Paradox--statement or conclusion that seems inconsistent or impossible but isn't
Occam's razor--principle stating that if two or multiple hypotheses are available describing something the one of the smallest number of assumptions or minimal complexity should be chosen
Existential crisis--time during which an individual contemplates his or her existence, reality, and whether or not meaning or purpose exists
PHILOSOPHIES
Empiricism--belief that all or most knowledge is derived from experience or sense perception
Scientism--belief that science alone reveals truth
Rationalism--belief that reason reveals or confirms truth
Foundationalism--belief that there are undeniable foundational axioms upon which all other knowledge is based
Naturism--belief system advocating respect for nature and/or nudism
Naturalism--belief that nature is all that exists and that nothing transcends it
Materialism--belief that nothing immaterial exists; related very intimately to naturalism
Determinism--belief that every action and event is inescapably determined by preceding actions or events
Fatalism--belief that certain events will simply occur despite the protest or actions of humans
Compatibalism--belief that free will and some form of fatalism (usually theistic predestination) can coexist simultaneously
Transhumanism--belief that humans should infuse their bodies with technology to improve the human race
Egalitarianism--belief that people are equal and should be treated likewise
Ethnocentrism--belief that one's culture is superior to other cultures
Objectivism--belief that concepts like morality or beauty have objective standards that exist independent of and regardless of human awareness, preference, or practice
Relativism--belief that a concept like morality or beauty is purely subjective and relative to some other authority (such as a situation, government, or individual) where it is subject to change
Emotivism--belief that moral statements are merely expressions of subjective emotion with no correspondence to a higher reality
Deontological ethics--belief that if an action is morally wrong that it is always wrong in every circumstance and is never justifiable
Utilitarianism--belief that the wellbeing of the majority matters more than the wellbeing of individuals and that an action is moral or immoral inasmuch as it furthers the wellbeing of the majority
Hedonism--belief that pleasure is the greatest good and thus humans should pursue it
Legal positivism--belief that human political laws are not subject to a higher moral authority because no such standard exists
Pacifism--belief that violence is never morally justifiable in any context
Pluralism--belief that differing claims about something (like religion) can be or are right at the same time
Nihilism--belief that there is no meaning to life or the universe
Skepticism--belief that knowledge about something is uncertain or unknowable; sometimes the belief that it is impossible to know almost anything about reality
Probablism--belief that if proof of a matter is inaccessible then probability determines what is a justified belief
Absurdism--belief that life is absurd due to limitations on knowledge and an inability to discover the objective meaning of life; a type of skepticism that does not deny objective purpose but resigns it to the unknown
Simulation hypothesis--belief or hypothesis that the external world we perceive with our senses is not the real external world and that we exist within a simulation
Solipsism--belief that the only thing we can know for sure is the existence of our own minds
Anti-realism--belief that there is no objective external world, or the belief that there is no objective truth with regard to specific things (such as the existence of other minds or ethical obligations)
VIEWS ON GOD
Theism--belief in a deity that created the material world, usually one with traditionally-ascribed attributes
Religion--organized theological belief system
Monotheism--belief in a single god
Polytheism--belief in multiple or many gods
Henotheism--belief that multiple gods exist but preference or special worship for a single deity
Fitheism--belief that God does exist but reason is incapable of discovering him and that God must therefore be wholly embraced on blind faith
Deism--belief that a deity created the universe and then either departed or refuses to interfere with it
Pantheism--belief that God and the universe are synonymous, that they are one and the same
Agnosticism--belief that whether or not a god exists is uncertain or unknowable; uncertainty about a proposition (such as the statement that God exists)
Atheism--belief that there is no god
Antitheism--a form of atheism that militantly and hostilely opposes religion
Theistic rationalism--a combination of either a generic or specific form of both theism and rationalism
Skeptical theism--belief that God exists but his motivations and reasons for allowing evil cannot be known in this life
Christianity--monotheistic religion based on the teachings of Jesus Christ and both the Old and New Testaments
Judaism--monotheistic religion based on the Old Testament and Rabbinic literature
Islam--monotheistic religion based on the Quran and the Hadith, started by Mohammed
Mormonism--religion based on the Bible and the Book of Mormon, started by Joseph Smith
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