philosphy lecture oct 1

Pragmatism
- Focuses on practical consequences and outcomes rather than theoretical principles.
- Major figures include William James and John Dewey.
- Reality is pluralistic; subjective experiences shape reality.
Idealism vs Materialism
- Idealism: Reality is constructed through the mind and ideas.
- Materialism: Reality is objective and exists independently of the observer.
- Logical Positivism critiques both, emphasizing language and meaning in statements.
Anti-realism
- Reality exists only through perception; it denies an external material world.
- Raises questions about communication and the validity of differing realities.
Phenomenology
- Study of experiences to uncover their essence, primarily developed by Edmund Husserl.
- Focuses on the relationship between consciousness and existence.
- Bracketing: Setting aside judgments to understand experiences purely.
Existentialism
- Self-definition comes from passionate commitment to action.
- Key figures: Soren Kierkegaard (Christian existentialism) and Jean-Paul Sartre (atheist existentialism).
- Explores themes of anxiety, freedom, and the significance of individual choice.
- Existence precedes essence: We are defined by our actions and choices, not by a predetermined nature.
Key Aspects of Being
- Time-bound nature of existence; changing and becoming until death (Heidegger).
- The relationship between being, consciousness, and the external world is central to understanding existence.