[Video] What is Philosophy?: Crash Course Philosophy #1

philosophy

derived from Greek philia meaning love and sophia meaning wisdom; literally love of wisdom; also defined as science of beings in their ultimate reasons causes and principles known through human reason alone

philia

Greek term meaning love

sophia

Greek term meaning wisdom or knowledge

personal attitude towards life and the universe

one view of philosophy referring to how one relates to existence

method of reflective thinking and reasoned inquiry

one view of philosophy referring to systematic critical thought

view of the whole

one view of philosophy referring to understanding all aspects of experience together

logical analysis of language

one view of philosophy referring to clarifying words and concepts

group of problems and their theories

one view of philosophy referring to addressing fundamental questions

aristotle’s definition of philosophy

thinking which aims at maximum connected truth about all available experience

bittle’s definition of philosophy

science of beings in their ultimate reasons causes and principles acquired by human reason alone

science

body of verified systematized knowledge and method to obtain it

proximate cause

immediate or direct reason for a thing

ultimate cause

final deepest reason or principle that philosophy seeks

faith

belief based on divine authority separate from philosophical inquiry relying only on reason

systematized knowledge

organized coherent body of facts and principles

critical mindedness

willingness to examine ideas openly shared by philosophy and science

impartial concern for truth

commitment to facts regardless of personal bias shared by philosophy and science

comprehensive scope

covers all human experience including conscience justice soul and god unlike particular sciences

particular sciences

specialized fields like chemistry physics anatomy that study restricted parts of reality

value

worth and meaning of things which philosophy studies alongside facts while science focuses only on what is

criticism function of philosophy

examining and testing assumptions premises and conclusions of all sciences and areas of thought

synthesis function of philosophy

combining findings from different sciences and experiences into unified understanding

harmonization function of philosophy

resolving conflicts and unifying different fields of knowledge

liberal education

broad learning that philosophy supports by helping organize and evaluate large amounts of knowledge

society

enduring cooperating group sharing habits ideals territory and organized interaction

social interaction

exchange of ideas and actions shaped by understanding motives values and philosophy

personal philosophy

an individual’s set of principles guiding decisions attitudes and goals

intrinsic value

worth for its own sake not just practical use or gain

intellectual horizon

breadth of understanding that philosophy expands

self understanding

awareness of one’s nature that philosophy fosters

meaning of life

purpose and significance of existence that philosophy explores

direction in life

clear goals and guidance provided by philosophy

conventional custom

unexamined habits that philosophy helps break

intellectual servitude

mental bondage that philosophy protects against by encouraging critical thought

abstract thinking

reasoning about ideas not directly observable often seen as difficult but necessary for growth

disagreement among philosophers

differing views that stimulate reexamination and progress rather than lack of advancement

skepticism

questioning of accepted beliefs that philosophy may encourage but does not inherently destroy valid principles

order and stability

social structure that philosophy strengthens by exposing unsound foundations and refining sound ones

pythagoras view of philosophy

seeks knowledge for its own sake apart from gain or usefulness

brightman view of philosophy

philosophy is a guide to life

nicholson view of philosophy

philosophy widens intellectual horizon deepens understanding and breaks narrow conventional thinking

sullivan view of philosophy

we should be critically conscious of what we hold unconsciously to avoid being ruled by hidden beliefs

mccall view of philosophy

everyone philosophizes; choice is whether to do it critically or naively

cahn view of philosophy

philosophical understanding protects against dogma and mental control

titus and smith view of ideas

ideas are foundation of action; people act only if they believe in something

negative attitude towards philosophy

belief that it is difficult impractical unprogressive or socially harmful