Philosophy 100
Introduction to Philosophy
Fall 2006


						Study Guide for First Exam


***	A note about PEEing ***: 

	Some exam questions will look like this: "PEE argument X. Even if you think 
	the argument is sound, say what line a critic of the argument would reject, 
	and what reason he would give for rejecting it."



1.	Define or otherwise explain the following terms: argument, valid, sound, 
	modus ponens, modus tollens. Be able to recognize whether an argument is 
	valid. Be able to say what form a given valid argument is in.
	
2.	Present and explain a sound argument that shows that (ERT) is false.

3.	Define (OT). Be sure to say what features immaterial souls are supposed to 
	have. Explain how someone who believes (OT) will defend the claim that it 
	is possible for a person to survive her death. 

*.	[No question on the prince and the cobber: covered in discussion.]
	
4.	State (MT). State both sets of definitions for "really remembers" and 
	"merely seems to remember." Explain why the second set of definitions is 
	supposed to be superior to the first.
	
5.	PEE Gretchen's argument against (MT)+D3+D4 based on the Fission Scenario.

6.	One premise of the argument against (MT-NB) based on the premature 
	resurrection scenario was: "Gretchen Weirob does not cease to exist on
	the second night." Be prepared to offer a rationale for this premise. (To
	do this you will have to explain the premature resurrection scenario.)

7.	Consider the following "Brain Bisection and Double Transplant" Scenario:


	Jones is in a car accident and his organs are failing. He agrees to an
	experimental "body transplant" procedure that will save his brain by 
	connecting it to a donor body. There are several patients in the hospital in 
	a "persistent vegetative state" whose families have agreed to donate their 
	bodies for such operations. 
	
	The procedure is risky.	To minimize the risk, the surgeons decide they will 
	first cut Jones's brain in half, and then put each half into a different 
	empty skull. (Recent studies have shown that a living organism can survive 
	even if half of its brain is missing.) That way they maximize their chances 
	that at least some part of Jones's brain will survive.
	
	The procedure is a huge success. After they perform the operation two people 
	wake up, each with half of Jones's brain.
	
	
	Construct, Present, and Explain a valid argument against (ST) based on this 
	scenario. Model your argument on Gretchen's argument against (MT)+D3+D4 
	based on the fission scenario. You do not need to evaluate the argument.

*.	[No question on the case Julia North: covered in homework.]

8. 	Define "Idealism" and "Metaphysical Realism." Give examples of things that 
	realists believe exist but idealists do not. Explain why they disagree about
	whether such things exist.

9.	PEE the argument based on Larry and his Parakeet. (Yet to be covered.)

*.	[No question on the argument based on Larry and his spider.]
	
10.	Present the general form of argument for idealism. You need not explain or 
	evaluate it.