PHILO 1 LE 1: Introduction to Philosophy

Philosophy

Concerned with the formulation of well-formed arguments and are valid, sound, and well-substantiated by evidence

Etymological Definition of Philosophy

Philo and Sophia

Philo and Sophia

Love of Wisdom or Friendship with Wisdom

Pythagoras

He coined the term ‘Philosophy’.

Knowledge

It is the gathering of facts, data, and information. It is also known as formal knowledge.

Wisdom

It is knowing how to live and what to do with the knowledge that you have.

Wisdom as alive and a life

Because it involves immersion in one’s self and valuing knowledge as its own sake, apart from its utility.

Two Views on Knowledge

Ancient Greek View and Scientific View

Ancient Greek View

Knowledge as a connection to human flourishing and excellence. Knowledge is equated to having a good life.

Scientific View

Knowledge as a system of true propositions about reality.

Two Types of Knowledge

Knowledge of Facts and Knowledge of Values

Knowledge of Facts

Concerned with how things are and the structure of reality. It is descriptive.

Examples of Knowledge of Facts

Scientific descriptions, observations, and measurements

Knowledge of Values

Concerned with how things ought to be. It is focused on moral and aesthetic judgements, and is usually prescriptive.

Examples of Knowledge of Values

Ethics, what is beauty, justice, goodness

Two Types of Life

Theoretical Life and Practical Life

Theoretical Life

Focused on the attainment of knowledge of facts and the contemplation of how things are or the structure of reality

Practical Life

Concerned with the balance of moral, political, etc. values, as well as reason and virtue

What does Aristotle state about these Two Types of Life?

These two types of life are important because they are aspects of human excellence.

Philosophy as a Life of Wisdom

The most deepest sense of philosophy is that of a pursuit of good life. It is compelled by the nature of human excellence.

Ludwig Wittgenstein

He emphasized the idea about Philosophy as a Form of Activity.

Philosophy as a Form of Activity

The goal of philosophy is the logical clarification of thoughts. It is to make propositions clear, understand a testimony’s meaning, and look for a method of verification.

Simon Blackburn

He emphasized the Aims of Philosophy.

Aims of Philosophy

Its aim is to give structure to our thoughts, which can also be described as conceptual engineering. It is to test the foundation of our beliefs and the strength of one’s mental fortress. It emphasizes how, similar to parts in an engineered building, each thought functions and are interconnected with other thoughts. Philosophy also helps us look at the scaffolding of our thoughts.

3 Answers

Number of ways to answer the question: Why Study Philosophy?

High Ground Answer, Middle Ground Answer, Low Ground Answer

Three Answers to the question: Why Study Philosophy?

High Ground Answer

Philosophy ensures our mental health. It is a mental exercise in which we analyze arguments, detect logical fallacies, evaluate testimonies, and learn the art of critical reasoning.

Middle Ground Answer

Philosophy is continuous with practice. Our mental state and our reflections affect the way we perceive and live out our daily life.

Lower Ground Answer

Philosophy allows us to step back and assess objectively the type of conceptual schemes that we have compared to someone else’s. It makes us learn how to temper our thoughts to make sure that they are well-formed, sound, and valid.

Stanley Rosen

Said that escaping Philosophy means escaping from our own humanity.

8 Branches of Philosophy

Epistemology, Metaphysics, Ethics, Aesthetics, Social and Political Philosophy, Philosophy of Language, Philosophy of X, Philosophy of Science

Epistemology

It is the inquiry about the nature, sources, and validity of knowledge.

Etymological Definition of Epistemology

Episteme and Logos

Knowledge Theory or Theory of Knowledge

Meaning of Episteme and Logos

Metaphysics

It answers the question: What is Real? It is the study of the most basic features of reality and what it means to exist.

7 Problems in Metaphysics

Change, Memory, Mind-Body, Continuity, Other Minds, Unity, and Defining the Self

Ethics

The study of the systematization, defense, and recommendation of concepts of right and wrong behavior.

Etymological Definition of Ethics

Ethikos

Ethikos

Character, social customs, habits

Aesthetics

The study of experience arising from the appreciation of artworks. What beauty means and why something is called art.

Etymological Definition of Aesthetics

Aisthesis

Aisthesis

Sensation or Perception

Philosophy of Art

The nature of art and the perception, interpretation, and evaluation of artworks.

Social and Political Philosophy

The study of the general problems and principles that affect the entire political society of men.

What Social and Political Philosophy Present

It presents a landscape of problems and its methods of analysis and solutions.

Philosophy of Language

It deals with questions that arise from our ordinary, everyday conception of language.

Philosophy of X

It examines the fundamental assumption, concepts, and methods of any domain or subject X to test if core ideas are logical, valid, or meaningful.

Stewart Shapiro

He emphasized the Philosophy of X.

Stewart Shapiro said this

Philosophy should engage with and illuminate the place of X, instead of standing entirely separate from it.

Philosophy of Science

It addresses issues related to the methodology of science, and the role of evidence and observation. It is the nature of scientific theories, how they relate to the world, and the overall aims of science.