Phil

Study

Agency

Free will - are we actually free / already determined

Aporia

The confusing 'stuck' feeling you get when you realize your own beliefs contradict each other

Socrates - uses Aporetic Method to confuse ppl and motivate them to pursuit wisdom

Argument

An argument = reasons (premises) + a conclusion they're meant to support. Not just an opinion by itself.

Dialogue / Dialogical

A back and forth conversation used to explore ideas, often without landing on a final answer

Distinction Making

A basic philosophical tool where you split a fuzzy or confusing issue into two clearer parts (often phrased "on the one hand... on the other hand...") so you can examine each part separately. This helps uncover hidden assumptions and background issues. Example: Socrates distinguishes "old accusations" from "recent accusations" in the Apology to show how old prejudice functioned as the premise behind the new charges against him.

Epistemology

The branch of philosophy about knowledge — what counts as "knowing" something vs. just "believing" it

Epistemic Assurance

The comforting feeling of being confident/certain that what you believe is actually true — can motivate you, but can also fool you

Ethics

right vs. wrong, applied to both people's actions and to bigger systems (laws, institutions, policies).

Metaphysics

The branch of philosophy about the basic nature of what is real or not— including questions about the soul, free will, or what's real beyond just physical stuff

Political Philosophy

The branch of philosophy about how we should govern ourselves and organize society (laws, rights, fairness)

Premise

A basic assumption or starting belief that an argument/viewpoint is built on

Sbjectivity

Personhood. Where a person is a ‘subject’ in the sense of the human subject of existence

Techné

Skill/craft knowledge — practical know-how for making or doing something (root of the word "technique")

What are the four branches of Philosophy

Metaphysics (Reality)

Epistemology (Knowledge)

Agency (Free Will)

Ethics (Right and Wrong)

Philosophy’s big Existential focus is on -

1 - How we all live according to the Vision of the good

2- How we all think on the basis of Premises

Plato

Socrates student, would write in dialogs and socrates actual conversations

Emancipation

Process of breaking free from control