PHILOS 2YY3 Study Guide - Final Guide: Derek Parfit, Anger Management, Open-Question Argument

• School: McMaster University
• Department: Philosophy
• Course: PHILOS 2YY3
• Professor: Jeffrey D' Souza

Document Summary

Part a: short answer questions: (worth 60 marks. Based on video: adrian piper"s two conceptions of the self (1984) Metaphysics: branch of philosophy that discusses the nature of reality; what exists and what does not exist. Concept of self: theoretical model that seeks to clarify facts regarding nature and dynamics of self. Humean conception of self: you are your central desires, plans and projects. Self is is understood with most central desires/plans/projects . Desire: pleasure gained from thinking about/attaining object of desire; disappointment in nonattainment. First-order desires: desires outside of one"s self (ie: food, sex, world peace, etc) Second-order desires: desires to be a certain kind of person. Piper: rationality in defining self comes from ability to understand all one"s desires (rank them in importance, make a plan for attaining) and ability to gain satisfaction by attaining these desires. Desires not only structure the self, but also one"s actions.