Origins of Philosophy

Philosophy, derived from Greek (philo = love, sophia = wisdom), initially encompassed various fields of knowledge.
Historically, disciplines like grammar, rhetoric, dialectics, music, arithmetic, geometry, and astronomy were considered part of philosophy.
Over time, knowledge became specialized, leading to distinct disciplines (e.g., arithmetic branching into sub-disciplines, science including nanotechnology, ecology, and medicine).
Even within disciplines like literature, areas such as grammar, speech, drama, poetry, and fiction are studied separately.

Branches of Philosophy

Philosophy explores human existence and the nature of reality and knowledge.
The emergence of philosophy began when humans started questioning existence, purpose, and how to understand life.
In the ancient world, philosophy was consulted when religion couldn't provide answers.
Five main areas of interest in modern philosophy, derived from the Greeks, apply to both Eastern and Western philosophy: metaphysics, epistemology, ethics, politics, and aesthetics.
The names come from the Greeks.

The study of existence, named after Aristotle's work.
The title "Metaphysics" was assigned by Aristotle's editor, placed after "Physics."
Meta means "after."

From the Greek ta ethika, meaning "on character;" the study of behavior and actions.
Concerned with morality, how one should live, and decision-making.

The study of governance, from the Greek polis (city) and politikos (that which has to do with the city).
Concerned with being a good citizen, neighbor, and community contributor.

By approximately 4000 BCE, philosophy was established in Egypt.
- Developed as a response to beliefs about the afterlife.
- The Field of Reeds was believed to be paradise where life continued without sickness, disappointment, or death.
- The question was how to live to ensure access to paradise.
- The answers led to the concept of Ma'at: harmony and balance.
- A good life was living in harmony with oneself, others, gods, and nature.
In Mesopotamia, humans saw themselves as co-workers with gods and owed them gratitude through worship.
- Existential crises arose when humans honored the gods but didn't receive expected responses, prompting philosophical inquiry.
- The Epic of Gilgamesh explores this crisis after Enkidu's death, spurring Gilgamesh's quest for meaning.

Developed as a response to the Hindu Vedas in the form of the Upanishads (written between circa 1500 and circa 600 BCE, from an older oral tradition).
- The Upanishads clarified and explained the Vedas, believed to be the literal words of God.
Around 600 BCE, a reform of social and religious beliefs led to philosophical systems rejecting orthodox Hinduism, including the school of Chavaka, Jainism and Buddhism.
- Jainism and Buddhism became religious beliefs but started as philosophical schools of thought.
- At the time, philosophy was a component of religion, anticipating and answering questions before they were asked.

Philosophy was developed before 1500 BCE, known through the Avesta (written between 1500-1000 BCE).
- Zoroastrianism, founded by Zoroaster, was a monotheistic faith worshipping Ahura Mazda (creator and sustainer) against Angra Mainyu (lord of chaos and darkness).
Zorvanism developed due to questions about the source of evil and suffering: If Ahura Mazda (all good) created everything, where did evil come from?
- Zorvanism claimed Zorvan (god of infinite time) created both Ahura Mazda and Angra Mainyu, with Angra Mainyu introducing evil through free will.
- Humans had to choose between good and evil, making their purpose in life to decide which to devote themselves to.

During the Zhou Dynasty (1046-256 BCE), philosophy was first written in early Confucian texts and further developed during the Spring and Autumn period (circa 771-476 BCE) and the Warring States period (circa 476-221 BCE).
These periods were chaotic, and philosophy developed in response to the disorder.
The philosophical advancement at the end of the Zhou Dynasty is called the Hundred Schools of Thought, which included Confucianism, Taoism, and Legalism.
These schools aimed to establish order because the traditional belief in Tian (heaven) was failing to legitimize a monarch's rule.

Began in the sixth century BCE with Thales of Miletus, who asked, "What is the basic stuff of the universe?"
- The ancient Greeks believed their pantheon of gods created the world, so questioning this wasn't encouraged.
- Thales didn't deny the gods but suggested water as the first cause.
- He established the Milesian School, the first philosophical school in the West.
- His followers, Anaximander and Anaximenes, continued his work but rejected water as the first cause.
Socrates (circa 470/469-399 BCE) didn't leave any written works; knowledge of him comes from his students Plato and Xenophon.

Socrates believed that an unexamined life is not worth living, focusing on improving individual character and examining beliefs.

Most of Plato's dialogues feature Socrates.
Plato is attributed the concept of the theory of forms.
- The theory of forms is the idea that what we call reality is just a reflection of a higher and perfect world.
- Claims there are abstract, unchanging, and perfect truths that exist outside of time and place that make all things what they are.

Aristotle rejected the theory of forms, suggesting the purpose of human life was happiness.
- Everything had a purpose, and the purpose of a human was to be happy.
He defined the first cause as the prime mover.
Aristotle became the tutor of Alexander the Great, who would spread Aristotle's philosophy throughout the known world