📚 CAIE Year 10 Philosophy: Terminology Quick-Memorisation Guide | CAIE 十年级哲学术语速记指南
Mastering philosophical vocabulary in Year 10 is half the battle won for CAIE examinations. This guide organises essential terms by topic, pairs each with a simple definition and a memory hack, and provides immediate Chinese translations to strengthen understanding. Whether you are revisiting metaphysics, epistemology, or ethics, these bite-sized explanations will help you recall precise terminology under timed conditions.
在十年级阶段掌握哲学词汇,是攻克 CAIE 考试的一大半功夫。本指南按主题整理核心术语,为每个术语配上简明定义和一条记忆窍门,同时提供中文翻译,以加深理解。无论你复习的是形而上学、认识论还是伦理学,这些精要解释都将帮助你在限时考试中准确提取专业用语。
1. Core Concepts in Metaphysics | 形而上学核心概念
Substance — derived from Latin sub-stantia (‘standing under’), it refers to what underlies all properties and exists independently. Memory hack: picture a submarine silently holding the weight of the ocean; a substance ‘stands under’ all qualities like colour and shape.
实体——源自拉丁语 sub-stantia(“站在下面”),指承载所有属性并独立存在的事物。记忆法:想象一艘潜艇在水下托着整片海洋;实体就像这样,让颜色、形状等一切性质“站在自己之上”。
Essence — the set of attributes that make a thing what it is, without which it would cease to be that thing. Think of a triangle: having three sides is its essence; remove that, and it is no longer a triangle.
本质——使一事物成为自身所必需的那组属性,缺少它们该事物便不复存在。试想三角形:拥有三条边便是它的本质;若抽离此属性,就不再是三角形。
Universals vs. Particulars — Universals are repeatable features (redness, humanity) shared by many things; particulars are individual instances (this red apple, Socrates). Memorise by the phrase ‘Universal Umbrella’ — one umbrella concept covering many individual raindrop-like particulars.
共相与殊相——共相是可被多个事物重复的特性(如“红色性”、“人性”);殊相则是具体个例(这个红苹果、苏格拉底)。记忆口诀:“共相伞”——一把伞下接住无数雨滴般的殊相。
Ontology — the branch of metaphysics that studies being and existence, asking ‘What is there?’ Literally, ‘onto-‘ means being. Link it to ‘on-to-logy’: stepping onto the ladder of what exists.
本体论——形而上学的分支,研究存在与实有,追问“究竟有什么?”字面上“onto-”表示存在。联想:“本体”即“本来之体”,探讨万物最终的存在根基。
2. Epistemology Made Simple | 认识论简明串讲
A priori — knowledge gained independently of experience, such as ‘All bachelors are unmarried.’ Mnemonic: ‘A prior’ to birth, you already know it.
先验——不依赖于经验而获得的知识,例如“所有单身汉都是未婚的”。记忆诀窍:“先验”即先于经验;就像在出生前就已经“验”过一样。
A posteriori — knowledge that depends on sense experience, like ‘Water boils at 100°C.’ Think ‘post-experience’: you know it only after encountering the world.
后验——依赖于感官经验的知识,如“水在100°C沸腾”。可记为“后验”即后于经验;必须亲身接触世界之后才知晓。
Empiricism — the view that all concepts and knowledge originate in experience. John Locke compared the mind to a blank slate (tabula rasa). Remember ‘Empiricism = Experience Prime’; without sensory input, nothing is written on the slate.
经验主义——认为所有概念和知识皆源自经验。洛克把心灵比作白板(tabula rasa)。记忆线索:“经验”二字当头;没有感官刻写,白板空无一物。
Rationalism — the thesis that reason is the chief source of knowledge, with innate ideas existing from birth. Descartes is a key figure. ‘Ratio’ means reason; link to ‘ratio-nalism’ as using rational calculation to reach truths.
理性主义——主张理性是知识的主要来源,天赋观念与生俱来。笛卡尔是关键人物。“理性”即逻辑推理;像做数学比率(ratio)那样,用理性推导出真理。
Scepticism (Skepticism) — the attitude of doubting knowledge claims. Global scepticism questions whether any knowledge is possible. Imagine a ‘sceptic tank’ that filters every belief until certainty remains.
怀疑论——对知识主张持质疑态度。彻底怀疑论追问一切知识是否可能。想象一个“怀疑滤水器”,将所有信念过滤,直到只剩下确定无疑的残渣。
3. Ethics in a Nutshell | 伦理学核心术语
Utilitarianism — the ethical theory that the right action is the one that maximises overall happiness or utility. Conceived by Bentham and Mill. Memory tip: ‘utility’ sounds like ‘you till it’; you want to till the soil of well-being for the greatest number.
功利主义——认为正确行为就是最大化总体幸福或功用的伦理理论,由边沁和密尔提出。记忆法:“功利”即公共的利益;要为最大多数人耕植幸福之田。
Deontology — duty-based ethics, most closely associated with Kant’s categorical imperative. The Greek ‘deon’ means duty. Picture a ‘deon-ticket’ you must obey unconditionally, regardless of consequences.
义务论——以责任为基础的伦理学,典型代表为康德的定言命令。希腊语“deon”即义务。想象一张“德昂义务票”,必须无条件遵守,不管后果如何。
Virtue Ethics — focuses on character and virtues, asking ‘What sort of person should I be?’ rather than ‘What should I do?’ Aristotle’s eudaimonia (flourishing) is central. Remember ‘virtual excellence’ turned into virtuous habits.
德性伦理学——关注品格与德性,追问“我应当成为什么样的人”而非“我该做什么”。亚里士多德的“eudaimonia(繁荣/幸福)”是核心。记为“德行即卓越”,持续培养美德习惯。
Categorical Imperative — Kant’s supreme moral principle: act only according to that maxim whereby you can at the same time will that it become a universal law. Categorical = no exceptions; imperative = command. Think ‘categorical NO to exceptions’.
定言命令——康德的最高道德原则:只按照你同时愿意它成为普遍法则的准则去行动。“定言”即无条件、无例外。记忆:“定言”如铁律命令,不容商量。
4. Philosophy of Religion: Arguments and Language | 宗教哲学术语
Ontological Argument — an a priori argument for God’s existence, defining God as ‘that than which nothing greater can be conceived’ (Anselm). If God exists in the mind, He must also exist in reality, or He would not be the greatest. Ontology = being; think ‘onto-logical’, as existence is built into the definition.
本体论论证——一个先验的上帝存在论证,将上帝定义为“无法设想比之更伟大之物”(安瑟伦)。如果上帝存在于理智中,则亦必在现实中存在,否则便非最伟大者。联想:“本体”即存在本身,论证把存在嵌入了定义。
Cosmological Argument — an a posteriori argument from the existence of the universe to a first cause or necessary being (Aquinas, Leibniz). ‘Cosmos’ means universe. Recall the question ‘Why is there a cosmos at all?’ leads to a causal thread.
宇宙论论证——一个后验论证,从宇宙存在回溯至第一因或必然存在者(阿奎那、莱布尼茨)。“宇宙”即cosmos。记住追问“宇宙为何存在?”这根因果链条一直追溯至源头。
Teleological Argument — the argument from design: the complexity and purpose in nature suggest an intelligent designer. ‘Telos’ means end or purpose (Paley’s watchmaker). Memory hook: ‘Telos = telescope’, designed for seeing far; design implies designer.
目的论论证——即设计论证:自然界的复杂与目的性暗示一位理智的设计者。“telos”即目的(佩利的钟表匠)。联想:“telos”与“望远”谐音,望远镜的精密设计意味着有位设计者。
Theodicy — an attempt to justify God’s goodness despite the existence of evil. Coined from the Greek ‘theos’ (God) and ‘dike’ (justice). Think ‘Theo-dicy’ as ‘God’s justice rollercoaster’ — trying to navigate the peaks of goodness and valleys of suffering.
神义论——面对恶的存在而力图辩护上帝的良善。“theos”即神,“dike”即正义。记忆法:神义论就是为神之义而辩护的学问,在善恶交织的世界中寻求平衡。
5. Terms on Free Will and Determinism | 自由意志与决定论术语
Hard Determinism — the view that all events are caused by prior conditions, making free will impossible and moral responsibility an illusion. ‘Hard’ here means uncompromising. Visualise an unbreakable domino chain: every thought is a domino pushed by the previous one.
强硬决定论——认为一切事件均由先前条件所导致,自由意志不可能存在,道德责任只是幻觉。“强硬”指毫无妥协余地。可想象一条不可中断的多米诺骨牌链:每个念头都是被前一张牌推倒。
Libertarianism (Free Will) — the belief that humans have genuine free will and are not fully determined by causal laws. Despite its political echo, here it signals freedom. Remember ‘liberty-tarianism’: agents have a ‘liberty ticket’ to choose otherwise.
自由意志论(Libertarianism)——相信人类拥有真正的自由意志,不完全受因果律决定。虽与政治术语同名,此处指行动自由。记法:“自由意志论”即持有自由通行证,主体总能做出别样选择。
Compatibilism (Soft Determinism) — the thesis that free will and determinism are compatible. Free actions are those caused by internal desires without external coercion. ‘Compatible’ means they can coexist. Picture two puzzle pieces labelled ‘Free Will’ and ‘Determinism’ fitting together.
相容论(温和决定论)——主张自由意志与决定论相容。自由行为即由内在欲望引发、且无外部强制的行为。想象两块拼图分别标着“自由”和“决定”,它们能够完美拼合。
Principle of Alternate Possibilities — the idea that a person is morally responsible for an action only if they could have done otherwise. ‘Alternate possibilities’ suggests a fork in the road. Memory aid: PAP, like the paper of options you hold before choosing.
可抉择性原则——认为仅当行动者本可作出其他选择时,才应为该行为负道德责任。“可抉择”如同岔路口。简称为PAP,像你手握一张写满选项的纸。
6. Mind and Body Terminology | 身心问题术语
Dualism — the theory that mind and body are distinct substances: the mental is non-physical, the body is physical. Descartes argued for interactionism. ‘Dual’ = two. Picture two separate containers, one for thoughts, one for brain tissue.
二元论——认为心灵与身体是两种不同的实体:心灵非物理,身体是物理的。笛卡尔主张交互二元论。想象两个独立的容器,一个装思想,一个装大脑组织。
Materialism (Physicalism) — the view that only physical matter exists, and mental states are brain states. Everything is ‘material’. Mnemonic: ‘Matter-ialism’ — the mind is nothing but matter in motion.
唯物论(物理主义)——主张只存在物理物质,心理状态即大脑状态。一切都归于“物”。记忆:唯物论就是把心灵也视为运动的物质,别无其他。
Identity Theory — a form of physicalism claiming mental states are numerically identical to brain processes, just as lightning is identical to an electrical discharge. Not just correlated, but the very same thing. Remember ‘ID theory’: the mental ID matches exactly one brain ID.
同一论——一种物理主义,声称心理状态与脑过程在数量上是同一的,恰如闪电与电荷释放是同一回事。记住:“同一”就是身份完全等同,心理事件和脑事件共享同一个ID。
Functionalism — the doctrine that mental states are defined by their causal roles, not by what they are made of. A pain is whatever state is caused by tissue damage and leads to wincing. Think ‘function’ like a software function: it doesn’t matter if it runs on biological neurons or silicon chips.
功能主义——认为心理状态由其因果角色定义,而非由构成质料决定。无论是什么基质,只要由组织损伤引发并导致退缩反应,它就是疼痛。记忆法:心智如软件功能,不依赖于运行它的硬件是神经元还是硅片。
7. Logical Reasoning and Common Fallacies | 逻辑推理与常见谬误
Deduction — reasoning from general premises to a necessarily true conclusion. If premises true, conclusion must be true. The classic example: All men are mortal; Socrates is a man; therefore, Socrates is mortal. ‘Deduce’ like pulling down certainty from above.
演绎——从普遍前提推出必然结论的推理。前提真,结论必真。经典例子:所有人都会死;苏格拉底是人;故苏格拉底会死。“演绎”就如同从确定的前提中向下引出必然。
Induction — reasoning from specific observations to a general probable conclusion. After seeing many white swans, we infer all swans are white. Induction goes ‘into’ the unknown. Memory: ‘Induction = introduce probability’, never absolute certainty.
归纳——从个别观察推出一般性可能结论的推理。见许多白天鹅后推断所有天鹅都是白的。归纳是走进未知领域。记法:归纳只是引入概率,不给百分之百的确信。
Modus Ponens — a valid deductive form: If P then Q; P is true; therefore Q. Mnemonic: ‘Ponens’ pushes the P forward, affirming the antecedent. Symbolically: P → Q, P ∴ Q.
肯定前件式——有效演绎形式:如果P则Q;P真;故Q。记忆:把P“抛”出来肯定前件。符号:P → Q, P ∴ Q。
Modus Tollens — denying the consequent: If P then Q; Q is false; therefore P is false. Think ‘Tollens’ like a toll booth that refuses entry to Q, so the whole chain collapses.
否定后件式——如果P则Q;Q假;故P假。记忆:“Tollens”像收费站把Q挡在外面,整个推理链条随之崩解。
Ad Hominem — attacking the person instead of the argument. ‘To the man’ in Latin. Visualise a debater poking the opponent’s face rather than addressing the logic. Under CAIE, recognising this fallacy is essential for evaluation questions.
人身攻击——攻击论证提出者而非论证本身。拉丁语意为“针对人”。想象一个辩论者不去回应逻辑,反而戳对方的面孔。在CAIE考试中,识别此类谬误对评估题至关重要。
Straw Man — misrepresenting an opponent’s argument to make it easier to attack. Like setting up a scarecrow version to knock down. ‘Straw’ suggests something hollow and easily destroyed.
稻草人谬误——歪曲对方论点以便轻易攻击。如同树立一个稻草人版本再将其打倒。“稻草”暗示中空易毁,根本不是真人。
8. Quick Memory Hacks for Key Philosophers and -isms | 哲学家与学派速记
Plato’s Theory of Forms — the idea that non-material abstract Forms (e.g., Justice itself) represent the truest reality. Remember ‘Plato’s Forms are Perfect Photocopies’ of our imperfect world. The Greek word ‘eidos’ means shape; imagine divine blueprints.
柏拉图的理型论——非物质的抽象理型(如正义本身)代表着最真实的实在。记忆:柏拉图理型是完美蓝图,世间万物只是粗糙复印。“eidos”即形状,可想象为神圣设计图。
Aristotle’s Four Causes — material, formal, efficient, final. Mnemonic: ‘My Ferret Eats Fudge’ — Material, Formal, Efficient, Final. The final cause (telos) explains purpose; a chair’s final cause is to be sat on.
亚里士多德四因说——质料因、形式因、动力因、目的因。记忆口诀:“质形动目”,对应中文四字。目的因(telos)解释事物为何存在;椅子最终的“目的”便是供人安坐。
Descartes’ Cogito — ‘I think, therefore I am’ (Cogito, ergo sum). The one indubitable truth. Hack: ‘COGITO = COGnitive ITO (way)’; the only path to certainty is through your own thinking.
笛卡尔的我思——“我思故我在”(Cogito, ergo sum)。唯一无可怀疑的真理。速记:“我思”即通往确定性的唯一路径,思维本身便证明存在。
Hume’s Fork — all meaningful statements are either relations of ideas (a priori, e.g., 2+2=4) or matters of fact (a posteriori, based on experience). Imagine a fork with two tines: ‘Ideas’ and ‘Facts’. Anything not fitting these tines should be ‘committed to the flames’.
休谟的叉子——所有有意义的陈述要么是观念关系(先验,如2+2=4),要么是事实(后验,基于经验)。想象一把两齿叉,分别刻着“观念”和“事实”。凡不在此叉两齿间的命题,都应“投进火里”。
Kant’s Noumenon/Phenomenon — phenomena are things as they appear to us; noumena are things-in-themselves, unknowable. ‘Phenomenal’ is what we can phone (sense); ‘Noumenal’ is the hidden number we cannot dial. That disconnect is central to Kant’s transcendental idealism.
康德的物自身与现象——现象是事物向我们呈现的样子;物自身(本体)则不可知。记忆法:“现象”即显象,可被感官接通;“物自身”则是隐藏的未知号码,永远拨不通。这一隔阂正是先验观念论的核心。
9. Exam Command Terms You Must Know | 必知考试指令词
Analyse — break down an idea into its component parts and show how they interrelate. For CAIE, ‘analyse’ requires more than description: you must reveal structure. Think of a chemist analysing a compound into elements.
分析——把观念拆解为组成部分并展示其相互关系。在CAIE考试中,“分析”不仅要求描述,更要揭示结构。像一个化学家把化合物分解为元素那样拆解问题。
Evaluate — make an overall judgement about the worth of an argument, weighing strengths against weaknesses. You need a balanced conclusion. ‘E-valu-ate’ sounds like ‘value’; you are assessing value after weighing both sides.
评价——对论证的价值作出整体判断,权衡优势与不足。需得出平衡的结论。“评价”即估量价值,在掂量双方后给出裁定。
Discuss — explore the issue from multiple perspectives, presenting arguments for and against before reaching a reasoned conclusion. A discussion is a dialogue. Write as if you are hosting a debate.
讨论——从多重视角探究议题,给出正反论点并导向理据充分的结论。讨论即对话,行文仿佛主持一场辩论,让各方意见交锋。
Explain — give clear, detailed reasons or mechanisms, often with examples. Do not just state; clarify causation or meaning. ‘Explain’ = ex-‘plain’, making the plain (flat) terrain of a concept easy to walk across.
解释——给出清晰详细的理由或机制,常辅以例证。不能仅仅陈述,而需阐明因果或含义。就像把崎岖的概念抚平,让思路顺畅通过。
Justify — provide a robust defence for a claim, showing why it is acceptable or valid. A justification is like an ethical case; you must provide moral or rational grounds. Think ‘just-if-y’, showing the conditions under which the claim is ‘just’.
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