Introduction to Philosophy Lecture Notes

This set of vocabulary flashcards covers the fundamental definitions, branches, historical figures, and methodologies of philosophy as presented in the lecture transcript.

philos

A Greek word meaning "love" used in the etymology of philosophy.

Sophia

A Greek word meaning "wisdom" used in the etymology of philosophy.

Philosophy

A science or discipline which uses human reason to investigate the ultimate causes, reasons, and principles which govern all things.

Metaphysics

A branch of philosophy concerned with curriculum and truth.

Epistemology

A branch of philosophy concerned with knowing and methods.

Logic

A branch of philosophy concerned with how curriculum is organized.

Axiology / Ethics

A branch of philosophy concerned with character and values.

Axiology / Aesthetics

A branch of philosophy concerned with art, literature, and self.

PYTHAGORAS

A mathematician and scientist ($570BCE$ to $495BCE$) credited with the formulation of the Pythagorean theorem.

HERACLITUS

A philosopher ($535 BCE$ to $475BCE$) who proposed that everything exists based on a higher order or plan called logos; known for saying, "No man ever steps on the same river twice."

logos

A higher order or plan proposed by Heraclitus that serves as the basis for everything that exists.

DEMOCRITUS

An ancient philosopher ($460 BCE$ to $370BCE$) who was among the first to propose that matter is composed of tiny particles called atoms.

DIOGENES OF SINOPE

A philosopher ($412 BCE$ to $323 BCE$) known as an advocate of a simple and virtuous life.

Sophists

Thinkers who believed people should use knowledge to improve themselves, held there was no absolute right or wrong, and developed the art of public speaking and debate.

Socrates

A critic of the Sophists who believed in absolute right or wrong and created the Socratic Method of teaching.

Plato

A philosopher who rejected democracy, believed philosopher-kings should rule, and wrote the book Republic.

Aristotle

A philosopher who taught the idea of the Golden Mean and believed observation and comparison were necessary to gain knowledge.

Golden Mean

A concept taught by Aristotle involving balance and the necessity of observation to gain knowledge.

Epicureans

Followers of Epicurus who taught that happiness, achieved through seeking continual physical pleasures and a life free from worry, was the goal in life.

Stoics

Followers of Zeno who taught that happiness comes from following reason rather than unreliable emotions and that duty is more important than feelings.

Systematic doubt

A method where philosophers employ a skeptical attitude to analyze each aspect of a topic to determine its validity or truthfulness.

Argument

A tool where philosophers engage in discussion and debate, taking various perspectives into consideration and examination.

Dialectic

A method where varied perspectives are analyzed to formulate new ideas and views.

Socratic Method

A method of analyzing a topic by formulating a series of questions designed to examine and clarify a person's views.

Axioms

Assumptions taken for granted in philosophical discussion that provide a foundation and direction, such as the view that "existence exists."

Occam's razor

A problem-solving device stating that the explanation with the least assumptions is the most acceptable.

Formal logic

The systematic analysis of the validity of arguments and statements, often utilizing syllogism.

Syllogism

Logical arguments presented as a series of related statements used in formal logic.

Thought experiment and allegory

Imagined scenarios used to illustrate specific problems or describe theories.

Wisdom

A product of philosophizing referring to a person's ability to apply knowledge to make sound choices and judgment in daily life.

Reality

The state of existence of things independent of human consciousness.