1st Quarter Intro to Philosophy Notes

Main Branches of Philosophy

• Metaphysics: Examines existence and the nature of reality.
• Ethics: Explores moral values, goodness, and dilemmas of right and wrong.
• Epistemology: Investigates methods of acquiring knowledge and its relation to truth and justification.
• Logic: Studies the principles of correct reasoning.
• Aesthetics: Focuses on the appreciation of beauty, art, and taste.

Types of Thinking

• Holistic Thinking: Involves understanding large-scale patterns and the big picture with an open mindset.
• Partial Thinking: Concentrates on specific aspects or details to analyze problems.

Reasoning Methods

• Deductive Reasoning: Starts with general premises to arrive at specific conclusions (e.g., Major premise: All humans are mortal; Minor premise: Socrates is human; Conclusion: Socrates is mortal).
• Inductive Reasoning: Begins with specific observations and formulates general principles (e.g., Observing all crows and concluding all crows are black).

Five Human Traits

• Self-awareness: Clear perception of one’s thoughts, emotions, and identity.
• Self-determination: The ability to make independent decisions.
• Morality: Understanding of goodness and badness of actions.
• Externality: Capability for social interaction and connection with others.
• Dignity: The inherent worth of each individual deserving respect.

Key Concepts in Philosophy

• Truth: Statements verifiable as true or false based on evidence.
• Fallacies: Arguments based on flawed reasoning.
• Arguments: Statements meant to persuade regarding the truth of a claim or opinion.
• Opinions: Personal beliefs that extend beyond factual statements.
• Transcendence: Surpassing one’s limits and controlling tendencies despite challenges.

Environmental Philosophy and Ethics

• Anthropocentrism: Views humans as the central concern, considering other organisms' existence based on human needs.
• Biocentrism: Emphasizes the intrinsic value of all life forms, advocating for their protection.
• Ecocentrism: Values all parts of the ecosystem uniformly, considering their interdependence beyond human utility.
• Sustainable Development: Advocates for responsible resource use to ensure availability for future generations.
• Environmentalism: Movement aimed at protecting and preserving the natural environment through sustainable practices.
• Environmental Integrity: Focuses on maintaining ecosystems and communities without undue disruption from human activities.
• Economic Efficiency: Promotes resource usage that minimizes waste.

Phenomenology

• Focuses on conscious experience and perception rather than abstract theories or objective facts.
• Describes how individuals experience sensations and emotions (e.g., feelings of happiness, listening to music, experiencing objects).

Existentialism

• Emphasizes personal existence, freedom, and the subjective meaning one derives from choices.
• Individuals are responsible for creating their own meaning through self-reflection and authentic experiences.
• Encourages personal decisions based on individual values over external expectations.

Analytic Tradition

• Focuses on logical analysis of concepts and the clarity of language used in philosophical discourse.
• Aims to simplify complex ideas for better understanding and meaningful conversation (e.g., breaking down the statement about homework to clarify its meaning).

This quiz covers the essential pointers and notes from the first quarter of an introductory philosophy course. Explore the five main branches of philosophy: Metaphysics, Ethics, Epistemology, Logic, and Aesthetics, and learn how they contribute to our understanding of reality, knowledge, and morality.