Philosophy

• Definition of philosophy as the study of all things or beings in their ultimate causes.

• Acquired through the natural light of reason alone.

Branches of Philosophy

• Categorization of branches of philosophy based on the division of being.

• Includes metaphysics, cosmology, theodicy, philosophical psychology, logic, social philosophy, axiology, aesthetics, ethics/morality, epistemology.

Metaphysics

• meta - beyond physikon - nature/physical

• Investigates the fundamental nature of reality, being and existence.

• Metaphysics deals with questions about reality, being, and the existence of non-physical entities like angels.

Cosmology

• kosmo - world or universe s logos - study of

• Study of the universe or world including its origin, dynamics and characteristics, as well as the laws that govern its order.

• Popularly known as the “theory of the universe”

Theodicy

• Theos -God dike -right, just

• Studies the nature, being, goodness, and justice of God in the light of reason alone

• Also God and man relationship and other doctrines related to divinity.

• Known as “rational theology”, because it uses reason to attain its objectives.

Philosophical or Rational Psychology

• psyche - mind, soul, spirit, logos - study of

• Studies the nature and functioning of the mind.

• Otherwise known as the science of behavior and the “theory of the mind”

• Deals with man as a dipartite being, i.e., as a composite of body and soul

Logic

• Logos - word or logike -treatises or thought

• Science and art of correct thinking and orderly reasoning.

• Man and reason

• It offers answers to the questions such as: - “Is that reasoning sound?” - “Is that statement true?” - “Is that reasoning valid?”
  

Social or Political Philosophy

• This is the philosophical search for knowledge of the ultimate foundation of the state, its ideal form and its basic power.

• Man and state

Axiology

• Axios -worth or value

• Analyzes the meaning, characteristic, origin, types, criteria and knowledge of values.

• Seeks to understand the nature of values and value judgments.

• It is closely related to two other realms of philosophy: ethics and aesthetics.

Aesthetics

• aisthetikos – sense of perception

• Aesthetics studies beauty and art.

• Considers creativity and the perception of beauty.

• Art - man’s creativeness/skills in doing things beautifully.

• Beauty- quality attributed to whatever pleases the beholder, such as form, color, behavior.

Ethics

• Ethos - customs, manners

• Ethics investigates the morality of human behavior.

• Explores questions of right and wrong in actions.

• Man and actions

Epistemology

• Episteme -knowledge

• Epistemology studies the nature, extent, and reliability of knowledge.

• Explores the theory of knowledge and ways of knowing.

• Man and knowledge