ETHICS

Philosophy of Man

Why do we study human beings differently?

• Humans are embodied spirits, meaning we have both a soul and a body.

• This is why we do not belong solely to cosmology (study of material beings) or theodicy (study of divine existence).

Philosophy of Man

• The study of man as an embodied spirit.

• “The heart has reason that even reason cannot understand” — Pascal.

Metaphysics (Study of existence and reality)

3 Subbranches of Metaphysics:

1. Cosmology – Study of material beings and the universe.

2. Theodicy – Study of the existence of a Good God through reason alone (without faith, scripture, or miracles).

• Differs from Theology – Theology studies God using all available means, including faith, scripture, and tradition.

3. Philosophy of Man – Study of man as both body and soul.

3 Kinds of Being in Relation to Time

1. Mortal – Has a beginning and an end (e.g., humans).

2. Immortal – Has a beginning but no end (e.g., the soul).

3. Eternal – Has neither a beginning nor an end (e.g., God).

3 Kinds of Being in Relation to Existence

1. Actual – Exists in reality.

2. Ideal – Exists in the mind; imaginative.

3. Potential – Does not yet exist but can in the future.

Epistemology (Study of knowledge and truth)

• Studies the validity of human knowledge.

• Inquires, processes, validates, and evaluates if knowledge corresponds with reality.

• Truth – You know something is true if your judgment corresponds with reality.

• A Posteriori Knowledge – Knowledge gained through sense experience.

Logic (Study of correct thinking)

• The art of correct reasoning.

• Identifies fallacies (errors in reasoning).

Fallacy – A deceptive argument that appears correct but is not.

Axiology (Study of human values)

Subbranches:

1. Ethics – Study of what is right, good, and true.

2. Aesthetics – Study of beauty and its value.

Concepts of Existence and Creation

• Creation – Making something out of nothing (Latin: creare).

• Vs. Invention – Creating something out of existing materials.

• Annihilation – Making nothing out of something (complete obliteration).

• Vs. Destruction – Breaking something but not making it cease to exist.

Opposing Terms

• Contraries – Opposite terms with something in between them (e.g., hot and cold, ugly and beautiful).

• Contradictories – Opposite terms with no middle ground (e.g., honest vs. dishonest).

Nihilism (Belief in nothingness)

• A belief that life has no inherent meaning, only struggle.

• Nihil – Latin for “nothing.”

Divine Attributes (In relation to God)

• Omnipresent – Present everywhere.

• Omniscient – All-knowing.

• Omnipotent – All-powerful.