Methods of Philosophizing

Plato’s Metaphysical System

This system divides existence into two: The World of Sense and the World of Forms.

World of Senses

The real world we sense with our five senses. Ideas and objects are changing and perishable. Does not contain true knowledge. Here resides the body.

World of Forms

The world wherein knowledge is ageless and eternal, filled with perfect and unchanging ideas. Here resides the mind.

Dualism

Plato’s belief which claims that the mind and body are two different natures. The body resides in the extended , perishable, material world, while the mind resides in the non-extended, eternal, nonmaterial world.

The Allegory of the Cave

A symbolism of true knowledge found in Plato’s magnum opus “The Republic”.

Idealism

This belief by Plato studies the ideal. Platoism and The Academy.

Realism

This belief by Aristotle studies the real, observable reality. Empiricism and The Lyceum.

The Socratic Method

A philosophizing method that encourages conversation and open-mindedness. It is collaborative and argumentative discourse that aims to build a rational thought and establish certainty on an idea. Devised by Plato’s teacher, Socrates.

Method of Systematic Doubt or Cartesian Doubt

A philosophizing method that questions and scrutinizes beliefs and assumptions. It aims to achieve certainty by doubting everything that can be doubted. Can be found in Rene Descartes’ “Meditations on First Philosophy.”

Dream Argument

A premise of Cartesian Doubt that argues that there is no certainty if our current experiences are genuinely from the real world, or it is a product of our minds while in a dream.

Evil Demon Argument

A premise of Cartesian Doubt that claims that our experiences are controlled by a clever, powerful evil demon that created a superficial world that we think we live in.

Cogito, Ergo Sum

Greek for “I think, therefore I am”. This provides certainty in the face of doubt and serves as a starting point for philosophical inquiry as it establishes the first certainty: our thinking selves.

Ethics

Branch of philosophy that studies the right and wrong in human behavior.

Metaphysics

Branch of philosophy that studies the fundamental nature of reality. Has two areas: Ontology and Cosmology.

Cosmology

Area of metaphysics which tackles our understanding of the origin, evolution, and fate of the universe. This includes the laws that keep the universe in perfect order.

Ontology

Area of metaphysics that classifies entities and bodies of knowledge.

Epistemology

Branch of philosophy that studies the nature, origin, and limits of human knowledge.

Aesthetics

Branch of philosophy that studies beauty and taste.

Logic Philosophy

Branch of philosophy that studies the nature and types of logic. It acknowledges a good thought by calling it logically correct. It also applies syllogisms, a practice of deductive reasoning and arriving to a conclusion by examining two other premises.

Political Philosophy

Branch of philosophy that studies government and addresses questions about the nature, scope, and legitimacy of public agents and institutions.