Introduction to Philosophy and Argumentation

Vocabulary and concepts covering Socratic methods, Thomistic argumentation, types of love, and the purposes of philosophy based on lecture notes.

reductio ad absurdum

A Socrates method meaning 'reduction to an absurdity' used to show that a claim is absurd.

Step 1 of Reductio ad absurdum

Begin with a claim.

Step 2 of Reductio ad absurdum

Begging the argument or questioning the claim.

Step 3 of Reductio ad absurdum

Bringing the absurdity, which shows that the claim is absurd.

Step 4 of Reductio ad absurdum

Exposition, which proves the original claim is wrong.

Disputatio

St. Thomas Aquinas's structured format on rigorous argumentation.

First part of Disputatio

Stating the claim.

Second part of Disputatio

Presentation of objection.

Third part of Disputatio

Present counterarguments.

respondeo

The fourth part of Disputatio involving addressing the objection.

Socrates' view on life

Believed there should be a relationship between what we do and what we think, famously stating 'an unexamined life is not worth living'.

Eros

Physical love describing things we love according to our senses.

Agape

The highest form of love according to the church that conveys affection and goes beyond what is physical.

Philos

Befriending/lingering or possessing that goes beyond physical and affection; loving to do something even if you don't feel or sense it.

Purpose of Philosophy (Identity)

Philosophy discovers man's identity.

Purpose of Philosophy (Truth)

Philosophy discovers the truth.

Purpose of Philosophy (Foundation)

Philosophy is the foundation of humanity.

Purpose of Philosophy (Learning)

Philosophy is the application of learning.