Unit 1 Intro to Philosophy

Philosophy

• Greek meaning “love of wisdom”

• is a process for exploring questions

• not bound by a specific content area

Philosophers

• relentlessly pursue answers to life’s fundamental questions

• study knowledge & the nature of the world

• give and critique arguments using reason & logic

Logic

• the primary tool of philosophy

• rules for avoiding inconsistency with our beliefs

Epistemology

the study of knowledge and justified belief

Ontology

metaphysics, study of what there really is in the world

Axiology

(value theory) the study of valid judgements

• ethics

• aesthetics = beauty

• political philosophy

Justification

• both actions & beliefs can be justified

• to reflect on whether there are good, defensible reasons for our beliefs & actions

• being able to justify our beliefs is beneficial for ourselves and our interactions

Reflection

important/vital to process of justification

Validity

if, by logic, if all premises are true, then the conclusion is true

• valid arguments are not always true

Soundness

an argument that is valid and true

Value of philosophy

The value of philosophy is sought for in the effects it has on those who practice it. These effects primarily impact the goods of the mind: intellectual stimulation, learning, reflecting.

Practical Man

a person who only recognizes material needs, aka necessities for life, and does not think they need to care for more intangible things like their mind

Instinctive Man

they have a very small worldview and they only branch outside of it to get more for themselves

Citizen of the universe

• broad worldview

• care for everyone

• open to ideas

• actions reflect ideas

• experience a sense of freedom

• consider every viewpoint

Philosophy v. other sciences

Other sciences have a direct impact on everyone, even those who are ignorant. In philosophy, the direct impact is on those who study it. It only indirectly impacts those who are ignorant of or doubt it.

The link is that when a philosophical question gets a definite answer, it becomes a field of physical science.