Philosophy 1st Quarter: Nature and Function

Study Notes

Nature and Function of Philosophy

Philosophy originates from Greek, combining "Philo" (love) and "Sophia" (wisdom), translating to "love of wisdom."
It involves a systematic investigation into the ultimate causes, reasons, and principles governing all existence.
Known as the "Mother of all sciences," philosophy serves as both a way of life and a persistent quest for knowledge and truth.

Origin of Philosophy

Greece is recognized as the birthplace of Western philosophy.
Thales is referred to as the "Father of Philosophy," emphasizing the distinction between faith (religion) and reason (philosophy).

Philosophical Activity Characteristics

Involves the broadest generalizations applicable to a wide context.
Focuses on fundamental root causes that explain phenomena.
Maintains a holistic approach, integrating various aspects into a coherent understanding.

Branches of Philosophy

Metaphysics: Explores questions of reality and existence.
Epistemology: Studies the nature of knowledge and how it is obtained.
Logic: The science and art of proper reasoning.
Ethics: Examines human actions and moral judgments.
Aesthetics: Investigates the nature of art and beauty.
Politics: Concerns the principles of social systems.
Philosophy of the Human Person: Analyzes human existence from a philosophical standpoint.

Practical Uses of Philosophy

Facilitates critical analysis of concepts, definitions, and arguments.
Enhances problem-solving and decision-making skills.
Promotes clear articulation of ideas and wisdom in choices and judgments.

Philosophical Questions

Emerged from human ignorance, prompting inquiry to develop knowledge.
Types of questions include:
- Simple Questions: Based on curiosity.
- Serious Questions: Arising from personal experiences.
- Deep Questions: Focused on finding meaningful answers.

Socrates and Methods

Socrates is regarded as the leading ancient philosopher, known for the Socratic Method, which fosters dialogue and questioning.
Dialectics: Describes philosophical argument through a contradiction process between opposing viewpoints.

Logical Reasoning

Involves reasoning to form conclusions:
- Deductive Reasoning: Moves from general premises to a specific conclusion.
- Inductive Reasoning: Begins with specific instances to formulate a general conclusion.

Perspectives in Philosophy

Partial Point of View: Analyzes a situation from a singular aspect, missing the comprehensive context.
Holistic Perspective: Sees the situation as a whole, connecting parts and considering multiple viewpoints.

Critical Thinking

Defined as careful, reflective, and rational inquiry into general interest questions.
Attributes include looking for evidence, adjusting opinions, examining problems, and discerning relevant from irrelevant information.

Philosophical Reflection

Reflection entails examining personal thoughts, feelings, and actions to learn from experiences.
Two types:
- Primary Reflection: Logical thinking and analytical argument construction.
- Secondary Reflection: Deepens understanding of experiences by integrating them into a broader context.

Moral Theology

Uses the STOP approach for moral decision-making:
- Search: Gather all facts.
- Think: Reflect on facts and their effects.
- Others: Consider the social impact of decisions.
- Pray: Seek divine guidance for enlightenment.

Epistemology

Aims to explore how knowledge is acquired and validated.
Dissects knowledge into aspects such as reality, perception, concepts, propositions, facts, claims, and arguments.

Domains of Truth

Objective Domain: Scientific truths independent of personal perspective.
Social Domain: Truth from consensus and societal norms.
Personal Domain: Truth associated with sincerity and inner thoughts.

Truth and Opinion

Truth is verified through procedures of justification separate from personal biases.
Opinion represents personal judgments that can lead to arguments.

Phenomenological Method

Developed by Edmund Husserl, focusing on unbiased philosophy rooted in immediate experience.

Analytic Method

Originated at Cambridge University, emphasizing clarity through language analysis.

Fallacies in Logic

Fallacies are weak arguments that fail to support their conclusions.
Common types:
- Ad Hominem: Attacking the person instead of the argument.
- Ad Baculum: Using threats to force acceptance of an argument.
- Ad Misercordiam: Manipulating emotions to convince others.

Description

This quiz covers the foundational concepts of philosophy, including its etymology, definitions, and significance in understanding truth and knowledge. It explores the role of human reason in investigating the ultimate principles that govern existence, positioning philosophy as the mother of all sciences.