CH1: Doing Philosophy

Philosophy

The love or pursuit of wisdom, defined as a discipline that follows a systematic approach to understanding reality.

Eros

A type of love that centers on desire and lust, often regarded as superficial.

Philia

A fondness or appreciation that denotes friendship, characterized by intimacy and depth.

Agape

Perfect or unconditional love, a transcendent form of affection.

Pythagoras

The first person to use the term philosophy, known for humbly identifying himself as a 'philosophus' seeking wisdom.

Ultimate causes and principles

In philosophy, these refer to the foundational reasons and concepts that explain existence beyond mere surface levels.

Philosophy of Science

The study of the ultimate causes and principles of all things, acquired through natural reason, extending beyond physical sciences.

Bertrand Russell's perspective

Philosophy enlarges the soul and consciousness and its value rests in its uncertainty and incompleteness.

Critical thinking

A mode of thought that involves questioning and gathering the best possible arguments rather than accepting things at face value.

Theory of Realism

The philosophical view that truth is determined by the correspondence between perception and reality, existing independently of human thought.

Theory of Relativism

The idea that truth is subjective and dependent on individual perspectives and context.

Theory of Pragmatism

A theory positing that truth should be assessed based on its practical implications and usefulness.

Theory of Phenomenology

A philosophical approach that emphasizes the importance of subjective experience and the dynamic relationship between subject and object.

Axiomatic reasoning

A formal method in mathematics and philosophy that derives principles from fundamental truths or axioms.

Logic

The study of sound reasoning and the detection of fallacies in arguments.

Epistemology

The branch of philosophy concerned with the nature and validity of knowledge.

Metaphysics

The branch of philosophy that examines the fundamental nature of reality, including existence, being, and the relationship between mind and matter.

Muthos and Logos

Muthos refers to mythological narratives conveying truths, while Logos denotes rational discourse and reasoned explanations.

Stupefaction

A state of wonder that invokes reflection and questioning about the deeper meanings of experiences.

Constructive questioning

Inquiry aimed at seeking understanding and clarity, rather than manipulation or contradiction.