Introduction to Philosophy: Metaphysics Overview

What is Philosophy?

• Derived from Greek, with "philo" meaning love and "sophia" meaning wisdom, translating to "the love of wisdom."
• Involves a search for meaning and truth behind existence and encompasses the study of all things.
• Systematic development of theories regarding knowledge, truth, existence, and good principles.

Branches of Philosophy

Metaphysics

• Focuses on the study of existence and is foundational to worldview.
• Addresses the fundamental question: "What is?"
• Explores the nature of reality, including concepts of real versus illusory worlds.
• Term originates from Greek, meaning "after the Physics."
• Aristotle referred to it as "first philosophy," later echoed by thinkers like Descartes in "Meditations on First Philosophy."

Importance of Metaphysics

• Provides a foundation for philosophical inquiry and real-world understanding.
• A robust metaphysical worldview enables comprehension of reality and informed action.
• Flaws in metaphysical understanding hinder living effectively.

Sub-branches of Metaphysics

Ontology

• Studies the nature of being and reality.
• Investigates how different types of beings are categorized and how they relate to each other.
• Philosophical debates often revolve around the existence of non-physical entities like the mind or abstract concepts.

Cosmology

• Examines the origin, evolution, and nature of the universe.
• Concerned with astrophysical phenomena in space and time and their development.
• Intersects with both science and philosophical inquiries regarding existence.

Epistemology

• Analyzes the methods of acquiring knowledge, answering "How do we know?"
• Addresses concepts, logical reasoning, and mental processes' validity.
• Investigates the definition of knowledge; traditionally considered as justified true belief but challenged with counterexamples in modern discussions.

Importance of Epistemology

• Essential for distinguishing true from false knowledge.
• Validates methods that allow understanding of reality and use of knowledge to achieve goals.
• Inaccuracies in epistemological approaches complicate life management.

Logic

• Focuses on reasoning and determining the validity of arguments, rather than the truth of statements.
• Encompasses various forms of logic: modal, many-valued, modern, symbolic, formal, informal, deductive, and inductive.
• Aristotle described logic as necessary reasoning, both new in its discoveries and essential in its conclusions.