Introduction to Philosophy

Practice flashcards covering the definitions of philosophy, its historical origins in Western and Eastern traditions, key thinkers, and major branches of the discipline.

Philosophy

Derived from the Greek words philo (love) and sophia (wisdom), it is the science or discipline that uses human reason to investigate the ultimate causes, reasons, and principles that govern all things.

Wonder

The realization that there are many things we do not fully understand, which awakens the desire to seek truth, meaning, and wisdom; it is considered the first step toward wisdom.

The Sophists

Professional teachers in Ancient Greece and excellent public speakers who taught rhetoric and persuasion with the goal of helping students win arguments.

The Philosophers

Thinkers who opposed the Sophists' approach, believing that education should seek truth through reason, evidence, and logical thinking rather than merely aiming for victory in arguments.

Pythagoras

A Greek mathematician and philosopher (570 BCE – 495 BCE) who coined the term philosophos (Lover of Wisdom) and believed that every person should continue searching for truth throughout life.

Western Philosophy

A tradition emerging in Ancient Greece around the 6th century BCE that emphasizes reason, logic, and critical thinking to explain reality and seek objective truth through evidence.

Socrates

Known as the Father of Western Philosophy (469–399 BCE), he introduced the Socratic Method for learning through questioning and famously said, "The unexamined life is not worth living."

Plato

A student of Socrates (427–347 BCE) who founded The Academy and developed the Theory of Forms, teaching that true reality exists beyond the physical world.

Aristotle

A student of Plato (384–322 BCE) known as the Father of Logic who emphasized observation and empirical evidence to develop formal logic and contributions to biology and metaphysics.

Eastern Philosophy

A tradition developed in Ancient India and China focusing on self-reflection, inner peace, and living in harmony with nature and society to achieve a balanced and virtuous life.

Confucius

The founder of Confucianism (551–479 BCE) who emphasized moral character, respect, filial piety, and social harmony as the path to a peaceful society.

Laozi

The founder of Taoism (6th Century BCE) who introduced the concept of the Tao (The Way) and encouraged simplicity, humility, and living in harmony with the natural order of the universe.

Siddhartha Gautama

The founder of Buddhism (563–483 BCE) who introduced the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path to overcome suffering through wisdom, compassion, and ethical living.

Hindu Sages (Rishis)

The founders of Hindu Philosophy who explored concepts such as dharma (duty), karma (action and consequence), atman (self), and Brahman (ultimate reality).

Metaphysics

The branch of philosophy that examines the fundamental nature of reality, existence, time, and space, seeking to understand what exists and what it means to exist.

Epistemology

The branch of philosophy that investigates knowledge, how it is acquired, its limits, and the distinction between justified knowledge and mere opinion.

Ethics

Also called moral philosophy, it is the branch that studies right and wrong, virtue, justice, and how people ought to live and make responsible decisions.

Logic

The branch of philosophy that studies the principles of correct reasoning, helping people analyze arguments and distinguish valid reasoning from invalid reasoning.

Aesthetics

The branch of philosophy that examines beauty, taste, and art, exploring what makes an object or experience beautiful and the role of art in society.

Mythos to Logos

The historical shift in Ancient Greece where thinkers began seeking rational explanations (reason) for the world instead of relying solely on myths and religious traditions.