Branches of Philosophy - Module 1.B

Overview of Philosophy

• Philosophy encompasses two main categories: Pure Philosophy and Applied Philosophy.
• Pure Philosophy focuses on the nature of the mind, providing theories to understand natural phenomena.
• Applied Philosophy examines social institutions based on theories from Pure Philosophy.

Pure Philosophy

• Divided into two subcategories: Theoretical and Practical.

Theoretical Branches

• Metaphysics:

  • Studies existence and essence (Being per se).
  • Derived from Greek words: "meta" (beyond) and "physikon" (physical universe).
  • Links with the Doctrine of Hylemorphism, which discusses form and matter.

• Ontology:

  • A subbranch of Metaphysics studying the nature of beings (possible and actual).

• Theodicy:

  • Examines the justice of God (from Greek "theos" for God and "dike" for justice).
  • Focuses on the truth regarding God's nature rather than punitive justice.

• Epistemology:

  • Investigates the nature of knowledge: its formation, verification, and retention.

• Cosmology:

  • Studies the universe as an orderly, intelligent system affecting societal values and structures.
  • Explores concepts of space, time, motion, and causality.

• Psychology:

  • One of the oldest branches, focusing on human nature and the mind.
  • Originated from Socratic thought emphasizing self-examination ("know Thyself").
  • Distinguishes between philosophical psychology (theoretical) and clinical psychology (physiological basis of behavior).

Practical Philosophy

• Aimed at improving perceptions and enriching lives through deeper understanding.
• Includes Aesthetics, Social Philosophy, Semantics, Logic, and Ethics.

Practical Branches

• Aesthetics:
  • Deals with the appreciation of beauty in all forms, not limited to the arts.
  • Originates from "aestetikon," meaning an expert in standards of beauty.
  • Defined as the science of beauty; emphasizes that beauty is a subjective experience projected by individuals.

Significance of Philosophy

• Theoretical branches enhance cognitive appreciation while practical branches foster a richer perspective on life.
• Philosophy aims to understand both the essence of existence and the structure of human experiences.