Introduction to Philosophy: Fallacies

Introduction to Philosophy

• Philosophy combines two Greek terms: "philos" (love) and "sophia" (wisdom); it translates to "love of wisdom."
• It involves studying fundamental questions regarding existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language.
• Philosophy seeks to understand human thought, the universe, and societal connections by posing essential inquiries.
• It is considered both a science and an art, aiming to find answers about reality and why things are as they are.

Notable Ancient Greek Philosophers

• Pythagoras (570 BCE - 495 BCE): Mathematician known for the Pythagorean theorem.
• Heraclitus (535 BCE - 475 BCE): Introduced the concept of logos as a higher order behind existence.
• Democritus (460 BCE - 370 BCE): Focused on the causes of natural phenomena.
• Diogenes of Sinope (412 BCE - 323 BCE): Advocated for a simple and virtuous lifestyle.
• Epicurus (341 BCE - 270 BCE): Argued that philosophy leads to happiness.
• Socrates (470 BCE - 399 BCE): Developed the Socratic method of inquiry through a series of probing questions.
• Plato (427 BCE - 347 BCE): A student of Socrates, he established the Academy and proposed the Theory of Forms and dialectic method.
• Aristotle (384 BCE - 322 BCE): Emphasized knowledge through perception, contributing to logic and deductive reasoning.

Methods of Philosophizing

• Holistic Thinking: Considers overarching patterns in systems with an open mindset.
• Partial Thinking: Focuses on specific aspects to analyze situations.
• Philosophical Wonder: Triggered by unexpected experiences, prompting inquiries into their origins.
• Critical Doubt (Descartes): Emphasizes questioning perceived truths to establish validity.
• Experience (Jaspers): Philosophy offers understanding and knowledge through life challenges.
• Philosophy's pursuit is driven by an insatiable love for wisdom and truth.

Branches of Philosophy

• Aesthetics: Focuses on beauty and perception of what is beautiful.
• Logic: Concerns itself with correct reasoning processes.
• Epistemology: Studies nature and scope of knowledge.
• Ethics: Explores moral dilemmas and questions.
• Political Philosophy: Examines justice, power dynamics, and citizens' rights.
• Metaphysics: Deals with existence and reality questions.
• Philosophy of the Human Person: Examines human existence from a philosophical standpoint.

Reflection and Self-Awareness

• Reflection involves examining thoughts, emotions, and experiences to gain insight into one's life.
• Self-reflection enhances introspection, leading to an understanding of one’s fundamental nature.
• Philosophy plays a vital role in daily life, equipping individuals with skills applicable in various situations.

Facts vs. Opinions

• Distinguishing factual statements (e.g., time taken to walk) from subjective views (e.g., living near school is better).
• Causes and effects are often assumed incorrectly between unrelated events.

Biases in Thinking

• Correspondence Bias: Judging character based on actions without external influences.
• Confirmation Bias: Seeking information that confirms existing beliefs while ignoring counter-evidence.
• Framing: Highlighting specific aspects of a problem while disregarding others.
• Hindsight Bias: Viewing past events as predictable or patterned.
• Conflict of Interest: Involvement complicating objective analysis of an issue.
• Cultural Bias: Assessing events through the lens of one's cultural context.

The Human Person as Embodied Spirit

• "Man" is derived from Proto-Indo-European *man, referring broadly to humanity.
• "Human" categorizes individuals within the species Homo sapiens, emphasizing biological traits.
• "Person" signifies individuality, with rights and responsibilities recognized by society.
• Personhood: Represents the totality of an individual, focusing on self-awareness and the ability to interact.
• Human Nature: Encompasses fundamental traits distinguishing humans, including thought and emotion.
• Self-Awareness: A clear recognition of one's own beliefs and actions.
• Self-Determination: The ability to make choices aligned with individual goals.
• Concepts of consequence, externality, and dignity stress the importance of individual actions, interactions, and inherent worth.

Limitations and Possibilities

• Transcendence: Describes the capacity for growth and self-redefinition.
• Facticity: Refers to life circumstances that are fixed, while individuals retain the freedom to redefine their identity.

Human Person and the Environment

• Environmental Philosophy: Studies the moral relationships between humans and the environment.
• Humans are perceived to transform their environment, reflecting their influence on societal and ecological issues.
• Anthropocentric Model: Views humans as central and superior within the universe.
• Ecocentric Model: Positions humans as part of a broader ecological framework.