Philosophy Study Guide 1

Questions and Answers

What does the term 'philosophy' etymologically mean?

Love of wisdom

Which of the following is NOT a branch of philosophy?

Metaphysics

Biology (correct)

Ethics

Epistemology

What is the focus of metaphysics?

Study of things beyond the physical

Who is known as the Father of Western Philosophy?

Socrates Signup and view all the answers

Plato founded the first university in the Western world.

True Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'ethics' originally mean?

Custom or habit Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the Socratic method?

To expose contradictions and lead to valid arguments Signup and view all the answers

Philosophy emphasizes the importance of __________ over answers.

questions Signup and view all the answers

Aristotle is known for focusing primarily on ethics.

False Signup and view all the answers

Match the philosophers with their contributions:

Socrates = Father of Western Philosophy Plato = Founded the Academy Aristotle = Systematic scientific examination Thales = Sought the basic ingredients of the world Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

What is Philosophy?

Definition: Derives from Greek, meaning "love of wisdom"; implies a deep desire for knowledge and correct application of it.
Nature of Philosophy: Raises more questions than it provides answers; initiates with wonder.

Branches of Philosophy

Metaphysics: Study of concepts beyond physical experience; includes the nature of God, freedom, and the soul.
- Sub-Branches:
  - General Metaphysics/Ontology: Deals with the nature of being.
  - Special Metaphysics:
    - Cosmology: Investigates the universe's origin, dynamics, and governing laws.
    - Psychology: Explores human nature, mind functions, and behavior dynamics.
    - Theodicy: Justifies God's goodness amid the existence of evil.
Epistemology: Examines the nature and scope of knowledge.
Ethics: Originally from the idea of customs or habits; explores moral principles.
Logic: Analyzes correct thinking and the validity of arguments.

Types of Reflection

Primary Reflection: Involves abstract examination of objects.
Secondary Reflection: Integrates fragmented experiences into a cohesive understanding.

Historical Context and Key Philosophers

Early philosophers focused on material causes, questioning the fundamental elements (water, air, fire, earth) of existence.
Thales and his successors proposed questions about the underlying composition of the world.
Socrates: Recognized as the Father of Western Philosophy; emphasized ethics over natural studies.
Plato: Renowned for his Dialogues and founding the Academy, the first university in the West; integrated diverse philosophical perspectives.
Aristotle: Pioneered systematic examination across all knowledge areas; known for rigorous study and recordings, dubbed "the man who knew everything."

Philosophical Inquiry

Philosophy lacks a fixed definition; defining it may impose limitations.
Importance of questioning over providing answers leads to a never-ending quest for understanding.
Socratic Questioning: A systematic approach introduced by Socrates to challenge contradictions and guide students towards logical conclusions.
The Socratic method, also known as dialectic, promotes learning through logical examination of ideas via questions and answers.

Description

Explore the foundational concepts of philosophy in this study guide. Learn about its etymology, importance, and the profound questions that define this discipline. This guide serves as an essential introduction to the love of wisdom and knowledge.