Definitions of Philosophy

Flashcards generated from lecture notes on Philosophy definitions and concepts.

What is the etymological definition of Philosophy?

A combination of two Greek words, philein sophia, meaning lover of wisdom.

According to Wikipedia, what are the disciplines concerned with philosophy?

Ethics, metaphysics, epistemology, and logic.

What does the historical approach to philosophy entail?

The study of historical figures who are considered philosophers.

How does language analysis change the definition of philosophy?

It changes philosophy from being a subject matter into a tool for dealing with other subject matters; it becomes a method without content.

According to Karl Marx, what is the role of philosophy?

That the role of philosophy is not to think about the world, but to change it.

What is a dialectic in the context of philosophic criticism?

A running debate with claims, counter-claims, qualifications, corrections, and compromises in the sincere hope of getting to understand a concept.

What is Epistemology?

The theory of knowledge.

What is Metaphysics?

The attempt to describe the nature of reality.

What is logic used to describe?

Used to describe the various types of reasoning structures, the relationship of ideas, deduction and inference.

What are the two different areas related to Axios, the Greek word of worth, in axiology?

Moral worth, or ethics, and aesthetics.

How does the study of philosophy enhance general problem-solving skills?

Enhances a person's problem-solving capacities.

How does philosophy contribute to the development of expressive and communication skills?

Skills in presenting ideas through well-constructed, systematic arguments.

How does philosophy help develop persuasive powers?

Training in the construction of clear formulations, good arguments, and appropriate examples.

What types of writing does philosophy teach?

Interpretive writing, comparative writing, argumentative writing, and descriptive writing.