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Module 1: Introduction to Philosophy and its Methods

Why Study Philosophy?

  • to learn how to think well, have reason, think independently and be able to connect the dots across multiple disciplines

  • can apply ethics

  • being able to identify your own values

  • learn how to critically evaluate your and other’s arguments

Understanding the Importance of Values

  • fundamental beliefs that guide our actions, decisions, and who we are

  • shape priorities and influence behavior

  • they provide a sense of purpose and meaning

  • values that mean a lot to me

    • love, wealth, honesty, empathy

Evaluating Arguments

  • inductive arguments make the conclusion probable

  • deductive arguments aim to guarantee the conclusion

    • the premises logically entail the conclusion if an argument is deductive

    • most philosophical arguments are deductive

    • typically divided into premises and conclusions

    • modus ponens: 1. If P then Q 2. P 3. Therefore Q

  • a test for validity is only if the premises are true, then the conclusion is tru

  • a test for soundness is whether the test for validity is met and all the premises are true

    • Valid and sound argument: P1. All cats are mammals, P2. Spaghetti is a cat, C. Therefore, Spaghetti is a mammal.

  • philosophers use a lot of examples because humans have an idea of what theyd do with their values, but another of what theyd actually in a given scenario

Understanding Philosophy by Michael Hannon & James Nguyen (AI)

  • Key Thesis

    • Philosophy's primary intellectual aim is understanding, not discovering true answers to philosophical questions.

    • Many aspects of philosophical practice become intelligible when viewed through the lens of understanding.

  • Puzzles About Philosophy

    • Philosophers often disagree radically on fundamental issues (e.g., free will, morality, artistic merit).

    • Philosophy has failed to settle its central questions despite millennia of inquiry.

    • Academic hiring committees and student evaluations do not prioritize the truth or falsity of philosophical views.

    • Philosophical disagreement and lack of truth-convergence challenge the idea that philosophy aims at discovering true answers.

  • Features of Understanding

    • Holistic: Directed toward bodies of information, not isolated propositions.

    • Pluralistic: Multiple routes to understanding, even if incompatible.

    • Non-factive: Compatible with false beliefs contributing to understanding.

    • Related to Explanation: Understanding often involves grasping explanatory relationships.

    • Requires Ability: Includes cognitive control, inferential skills, and know-how.

    • Non-testimonial: Cannot be transmitted solely through testimony.

  • The Epistemic Aim of Philosophy

    • Philosophical Progress

      • Philosophy progresses by increasing understanding, not truth-convergence.

      • Thought experiments (e.g., Descartes’s evil demon, Nozick’s experience machine) deepen understanding without providing definitive truths.

      • Philosophical tools clarify concepts, uncover complexities, and eliminate implausible views.

    • Expertise

      • Philosophical expertise involves cognitive abilities like detecting invalid inferences, evaluating theories, and understanding concepts—not necessarily knowing true answers.

    • Philosophical Testimony

      • Philosophical claims are rarely accepted based on testimony alone.

      • Understanding requires intellectual autonomy and cannot be transmitted via testimony.

    • Hiring Practices

      • Truth or falsity of a candidate’s philosophical views is irrelevant in academic hiring.

      • Philosophical diversity in departments enhances understanding by providing multiple perspectives.

    • Student Evaluation

      • Students are graded on their ability to argue and demonstrate understanding, not on the truth of their conclusions.

      • Diametrically opposed conclusions can both exhibit deep understanding.

    • Systematicity

      • Philosophers value systematic projects (e.g., David Lewis’s modal realism) for their ability to connect and explain diverse issues, even if the theories are false.

    • Disagreement

      • Philosophical disagreements often "bottom out" when interlocutors understand each other's perspectives without resolving fundamental differences.

      • This practice contributes to understanding rather than truth-convergence.

  • Objections and Replies

    • Is Understanding a Consolation Prize?

      • Understanding is not secondary to truth; it is the primary aim of philosophy.

      • Philosophical practices align more with the pursuit of understanding than truth.

    • Is Philosophy Worthwhile?

      • Philosophical understanding is epistemically valuable and meaningful to those who pursue it.

      • Thought experiment: Most philosophers would prefer understanding over opaque truth.

    • Does Understanding Require Truth?

      • Non-factivist view: Understanding can involve falsehoods (e.g., scientific models, thought experiments).

      • Factivist view: Philosophical understanding can still be achieved through true dependency relations and systematic knowledge, even if specific theories are false.

  • Conclusion

    • Philosophy aims at understanding, which explains its practices and counters skepticism about its value.

    • Philosophical disagreement, systematicity, and intellectual autonomy are better understood through this lens.

    • Philosophical understanding is valuable, even in the absence of truth-convergence.

  • Takeaways

    • Philosophy is not about finding definitive truths but about fostering deeper understanding of complex issues.

    • Philosophical practices like disagreement, diversity, and systematicity align with the goal of understanding.

    • Understanding is epistemically valuable and central to the discipline.