The Meaning and Branches of Philosophy

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards covering the meaning, branches, and historical impact of philosophy on various disciplines.

Philosophy

A systematic questioning and logical analysis that begins in wonder and ignites curiosity to study existence and knowledge.

Freedom

Acting by personal choice without unnecessary interference, emphasizing individual autonomy.

Equality

Treating people the same or ensuring equal opportunities and rights for all individuals.

Kant’s View of Philosophy

Philosophy as an analysis of how people reason, rather than providing fixed rules or answers.

Argumentation

The use of clear premises and sound reasoning to justify claims beyond mere opinions.

Ontology

The study of existence and the nature of being, focusing on the reality behind physical appearances.

Epistemology

The branch of philosophy that examines how we know what we claim, emphasizing reason over sensory experience.

Allegory of the Cave

A Platonic illustration of how humans mistake shadows for reality, highlighting the journey to true understanding.

Metaphysics

The exploration of the fundamental nature of reality, existence, and the universe beyond physical observation.

Heraclitus’ View

The proposition that the universe is in constant change and stability arises from the balance of opposites.

Parmenides’ View

The argument that reality is unchanging and eternal, denying the possibility of non-being or void.

Logic

A set of rules that distinguish sound reasoning from fallacy, essential in philosophy, science, and everyday decisions.

Socratic Method

A structured form of questioning used to test assumptions, reveal contradictions, and promote clearer thinking.

Ethics

The study of human behavior, moral values, and questions of right and wrong central to human life and society.

Protagoras’ Human-Centered Turn

A shift in focus from the cosmos to human affairs, emphasizing subjective belief and human perception.

Philosophy of Religion

The use of reason and argumentation to analyze religious beliefs objectively and intellectually.

Leibniz’s Rationalist Approach

A philosophical framework that influenced the concept of inferential calculus by emphasizing reason and experience.

Empiricism (Locke)

The philosophical emphasis on experience as the source of human knowledge, rejecting the idea of innate ideas.

Social Contract Theory

John Locke’s theory explaining government formation through the consent of the governed to protect natural rights.

Voltaire’s Philosophical Inquiry

A method of questioning existence and truth that promoted skepticism of accepted facts and critical reflection.