Philosophical Arguments: Motion and Causation

According to the argument on motion, what is stated in P1? Fill in the blank: Some things are _______.

• moved

• created

• destroyed

• imagined

Answer explanation

According to the argument on motion, P1 states that some things are 'moved'. This indicates that motion involves the action of moving objects, making 'moved' the correct choice over 'created', 'destroyed', or 'imagined'.

According to the argument on motion, if something is moved to being F, then it is potentially but not actually F. (P2)

• True

• False

Answer explanation

The statement is true because if something is moved to being F, it indicates that it has the potential to be F but has not yet achieved that state, thus it is potentially but not actually F.

According to the argument on motion, if something moves a thing to be F, then it (the mover) is in a state of actuality relevant to F. (P3)

• True

• False

Answer explanation

The statement is true because if something causes another to be in a state of F, it implies that the mover possesses the actual state necessary to effect that change, aligning with the argument on motion.

In the argument on motion, what logical rule is used in C1?

• Modus tollens

• Modus ponens

• Disjunctive syllogism

• Hypothetical syllogism

Answer explanation

In C1, the argument uses modus ponens, which states that if 'P implies Q' is true and 'P' is true, then 'Q' must also be true. This logical structure supports the conclusion drawn in the argument on motion.

According to the argument on motion, is it possible for something to move itself to be F? (C2)

• No, it is not possible.

• Yes, it is always possible.

• Only if it is already in motion.

• It depends on external factors.

Answer explanation

According to the argument on motion, something cannot move itself to be F. Movement requires an external cause, making it impossible for an object to initiate its own motion. Therefore, the correct answer is 'No, it is not possible.'

If something is moved, it is moved by something else. (C3)

• True

• False

Answer explanation

The statement is true because movement requires an external force or agent to cause the change in position of an object. Therefore, if something is moved, it must be moved by something else.

If the series of movers were to go onto infinity, then there would be no ______ mover. (P6)

• first

• last

• second

• final

Answer explanation

In an infinite series, there is no 'first' mover because the concept of a starting point becomes irrelevant. Thus, the correct answer is 'first', as it implies a definitive beginning that doesn't exist in infinity.

According to the argument on motion, what is the conclusion in C4?

• There is a first mover.

• Motion is impossible.

• Everything is at rest.

• There are infinite movers.

Answer explanation

The argument on motion concludes that there must be a first mover to initiate motion, as everything cannot move itself. Therefore, the correct answer is 'There is a first mover.'

According to the argument on causation, what is stated in P1? Fill in the blank: There is an ordered series of ______ causes.

• efficient

• material

• formal

• final

Answer explanation

In the context of causation, P1 states that there is an ordered series of efficient causes. Efficient causes refer to the agents or events that bring about an effect, making 'efficient' the correct choice.

If X is an efficient cause of Y, then X is prior to Y. (P2)

• True

• False

Answer explanation

The statement is true because an efficient cause (X) must precede its effect (Y) in time. This means that for X to cause Y, X must occur before Y.