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Questions and Answers
What does the term 'philosophy' literally mean?
Which philosopher is credited with coining the term 'philosophy'?
What distinguishes wisdom from knowledge?
Philosophy is defined as a science that investigates what?
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What method does philosophy primarily use to acquire knowledge?
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Which civilizations are identified as the historical beginnings of philosophy?
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What is the role of human reason in philosophy according to the definition provided?
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How is philosophy characterized in relation to reality?
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What does Empiricism emphasize as the means of acquiring knowledge?
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Which of the following philosophers is associated with Idealism?
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What is the main assertion of Pragmatism?
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Which branch of philosophy focuses specifically on the nature of beauty?
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Which philosophical movement is characterized by the idea that individuals create the meanings and essence of their own lives?
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What is the focus of the branch of philosophy known as Epistemology?
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Which philosophical approach maintains that sense experience is the supreme criterion of human knowledge?
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Which branch of philosophy deals with the principles and laws governing morality?
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Which philosophers are considered among the earliest contributors to Western philosophy?
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What is NOT a characteristic emphasized by Eastern philosophy?
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Which philosophers are categorized under the Metaphysical Period?
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Which period seeks to find 'a way of life worthy of a philosopher'?
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What was the focus of the Naturalistic Period in Greek philosophy?
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Which era is often noted as the beginning of Modern Philosophy?
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In the context of the Religious Period, what does the term 'Patristic Period' refer to?
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Which philosophy emphasizes the acquisition of knowledge by reason without reliance on experience?
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Study Notes
Nature of Philosophy
- Chinese meaning emphasizes aligning words with actions.
- Pythagoras coined the term "Philosophy" from Greek: “Philo” (love) and “Sophia” (wisdom), signifying "love of wisdom."
- Wisdom is the right application of knowledge; knowledge is facts acquired through sensory perception.
- Ancient Greeks viewed philosophy as a pursuit of truth and a way of living in accordance with it.
Definition of Philosophy
- Philosophy investigates the ultimate nature and causes of things using human reason alone.
- As a science, it provides organized knowledge derived from factual understanding.
- It combines reasoning with experience and reflection, aiming for truth, goodness, and beauty.
Historical Development of Philosophy
- Philosophy emerged through four civilizations: Indian, Classical (Greek), Christian, and Modern, with Oriental philosophies predating Western ones.
- Thales of Miletus marked the beginning of Western philosophy, followed by monumental figures like Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle.
- Eastern philosophy emphasized values like benevolence and harmony, while Western philosophy focused on ambition, rationality, and liberty.
Stages of Greek Philosophy Development
- Greek philosophy evolved through several periods:
- Naturalistic Period: Focused on cosmological questions about origins, with Ionians and Pythagoreans being key thinkers.
- Metaphysical Period: Concerned with knowledge, morality, and justice led by thinkers such as Socrates and Plato.
- Ethical Period: Sought a virtuous way of life; included Stoicism, Epicureanism, and Skepticism.
- Religious Period: Emergence of Christian philosophy with three sub-periods: Evangelization, Patristic, and Scholastic.
Modern Philosophy
- Generally initiated with Descartes or Francis Bacon, leading to Rationalism (knowledge via reason) and Empiricism (knowledge via sensory experience).
- Enlightenment aimed to establish human order through reason, opposing previous eras.
- Key doctrines included Idealism (reality exists in the mind) and Positivism (knowledge is based on sense experience).
Contemporary Philosophy
- Pragmatism teaches the value of concepts based on their practical utility, exemplified by William James.
- Existentialism emphasizes individual meaning-making and personal responsibility, represented by thinkers like Kierkegaard and Nietzsche.
Future of Philosophy
- Philosophy’s relevance depends on human intellectual engagement; it is unlikely to "retire" as long as people think reflectively.
Branches of Philosophy
- Aesthetics: Studies beauty and criteria for aesthetic judgment.
- Cosmology: Examines the physical world and principles of material beings.
- Epistemology: Focuses on the nature of knowledge and truth.
- Ethics: Deals with morality and principles covering human actions.
- Ontology/Metaphysics: Studies beings and the reasons behind their reality.
- Philosophy of Man: Explores human nature.
- Social Philosophy: Investigates human society and its principles.
- Rational Psychology: Concerned with the nature of the mind and human behavior.
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Description
Explore the fundamental aspects of philosophy, including its definition and history. This quiz will guide you through the development stages of philosophy from Greek to contemporary thought, while identifying its branches. Gain a deeper appreciation for the nature of philosophical inquiry.
