Introduction to Modern Philosophy: The Emergence of Rationalism

The video explores the shift in philosophy during the Renaissance, highlighting the revival of Greek knowledge and the move towards secularism. It covers key figures like Montaigne, who introduced the essay format, and rationalists such as Descartes, Spinoza, Pascal, and Leibniz, who contributed to the development of modern philosophy and the scientific method. The video also discusses the contrast between rationalism and empiricism, setting the stage for future philosophical developments.

What marked the end of the medieval era and the beginning of the Renaissance in philosophy?

• The invention of the printing press

• The revival of Ancient Greek knowledge

• The fall of the Roman Empire

• The rise of the Catholic Church

Which two main schools of thought emerged during the Renaissance?

• Existentialism and Absurdism

• Stoicism and Epicureanism

• Utilitarianism and Deontology

• Rationalism and Empiricism

What literary format did Michel de Montaigne create?

• The epic

• The sonnet

• The essay

• The novel

What was Montaigne's view on European culture compared to the New World?

• He believed it was superior

• He refused to accept its superiority

• He thought it was inferior

• He was indifferent to cultural comparisons

Which philosopher is known for the phrase 'I think, therefore I am'?

• Baruch Spinoza

• Blaise Pascal

• Rene Descartes

• Gottfried Leibnitz

What did Descartes propose about the nature of existence?

• It consists of mind and body as separate substances

• It is an illusion

• It is a dream

• It is purely physical

What was Spinoza's view on the nature of substance?

• There are two distinct substances

• Everything is a manifestation of one divine substance

• Substances are purely physical

• Substances are purely mental

What is Pascal's Wager primarily concerned with?

• The nature of reality

• The belief in God based on statistics

• The existence of free will

• The importance of reason over faith

What concept did Leibnitz introduce regarding the fabric of existence?

• Particles

• Strings

• Monads

• Atoms

What field of logic studies possibilities based on Leibnitz's analogy with possible worlds?

• Propositional logic

• Predicate logic

• Fuzzy logic

• Modal logic