Intro to Philosophy PDF

|intro to philosophy Major branches of philosophy Philosophy Metaphysics Pythagoras: Metaphysics is the foundation of philosophy...

|intro to philosophy Major branches of philosophy Philosophy Metaphysics Pythagoras: Metaphysics is the foundation of philosophy o Greek word: Philosophia – “love of Meta means “beyond/after”; Physics means “physical and nature” wisdom Aristotle: PARTS OF METAPHYSICS o Greek Words: Philos – “love”; Sophia – “wisdom” 1. GENERAL METAPHYSICS / ontology Philosophy - is the study of general Onto means “being or that which is”; logos fundamental problems; it relies on rational means “knowledge or study” arguments One of the most active areas of metaphysics 2. Special metaphysics Knowledge vs. Wisdom Cosmology Knowledge - knowing what to say 1. Physical (scientific) cosmology Wisdom - knowing when to say it - Applies the scientific methods with which the Philosopher’s perspective observational astronomers and the theoretical physicists are involved in socrates the factual study of the Philosophy is a critical self-examination whole and parts of the Live life < constantly question life universe, as well as the governing laws of physics. buddha Explains the meaning of life 2. Rational (metaphysical) cosmology “Happiness stems from the mind” - It reflects on the contemporary sciences confucius and speculates on the origin, fundamental Believes that human beings are structure, and space-time fundamentally good relationships of the Dictates that “age is not the end; we are physical universe, in its ALWAYS teachable/improvable.” totality. Its problems are nature of material Lao tzu existence, the concept of “The greater the number of laws and uniformity of nature and enactments, the more the thieves and the laws of physics, the robbers will be” concept of space and time, etc. tacitus “The more corrupt the state, the more Psychological numerous the laws” - Its subject-matter is the soul or mind and its major tasks to prove immortality of the soul and to affirm free will. - Purely speculative Conceptions of philosophy Theodicy 1. Philosophy as the quest of truth (louis p. Pojman 2006) - Deals with nature, being. And Uses: goodness of God. Reasons - “Justifying God” Sense perception Empathy Epistemology Imagination - Episteme = “knowledge”; logos Intuition “study or science” is the root of all terms - Study of origin of the world 2. Philosophy as the Scratch for beliefs that are rationally justified William F. Lawhead (2012) Urges us to re-examine all our beliefs and Nature of knowledge ideas; check whether they are rationally To determine philosophers’ look at what it justified means to say you know or don’t know One must first comprehend what knowledge 3. Philosophy as an activity is and how to distinguish between knowing Philosophy is a skill that anyone can and not knowing develop. KNOWING STARTS WITH SENSES Two kinds of knowledge 4. Philosophy by nature is “a DIY self enterprise” James L. Christian (2012) 1. Perceptual - sensing of particular thing/s One does not need to be a professional 2. Conceptual - recognition of identities philosopher in order to do philosophy. 5. Questions are more important than questions Karl Jaspers The extent of knowledge CURIOSITY/QUESTIONS started everything  How much we can and do know and how To ask questions knowledge is acquired. Epistemology also looks into whether our To reflect knowledge has limits or not. To formulate argument Can it be possible that we don't know as much as we believe we know? Necessary skills in doing philosophy belief Knowledge Philosophical Reflection - exists slowly in the mind, and, - Look deeper into our experiences therefore, is a mental state. and see the bigger picture of reality - Is a type of belief Not all you believe in is true Construction and Evaluation - Allows us to express our ideas in a systematic way to EXAMINE ideas of other people. 2 types of philosophical reflection 1. Primary Reflection truth - Fragmented and compartmentalized Not all beliefs are knowledge - Instrumental thinking (thinking by Belief is not all that is needed you) Where thoughts do not match with the real - “Means-end” kind of thinking world, then they cannot be considered 2. Secondary Reflection knowledge. - Integrates the fragmented and For example: one cannot know a bridge is compartmentalized experience into safe to cross without crossing it safely. Only a coherent whole. after proving their knowledge can one declare that they know it. “The act of giving time to think about the meaning and purpose of life” - Gabriel Marcel justification In order for there to be knowledge, true beliefs must be justified. Philosophical reflection as a tool to doing philosophy In order to acquire knowledge, a true belief To see interconnectedness and must have sound reasoning and solid interdependence and on direct relation to evidence to support its claims. people’s actions and events Deepen our understanding about ourselves Logic and our role in the world. In “Prior Analytics” – by Aristotle, he Constructing and evaluating arguments introduced the notion of “syllogism”. Argument - statements that aim to prove is Example: something is true or false All stars are distant stars. Statement - asserts/claims that something is All distant stars twinkle true or not Therefore, all stars twinkle Conclusion - claim being made, which may either assert that something is true or false. Rules of thinking Premises - statements that serve as Interferences = Arguments evidence or support for the conclusion Rules of logic determine which arguments are VALID and which are FALLACIES. Sound argument Premises are all true and has valid logical syllogisms structure or form Made of 3 propositions: Premises Premises Conclusions At least one premise has to be universal At least one premise has to be affirmative Thinking process (logic) If one premise is negative, then the conclusion is also negative. “My view is my view. Your view is your view” Premises can either be universal (using – Parmenides of Elea words like ever, all, or no) or particular (for ○ Mathematics: Principles of Equality example, using the word same), and they ○ Logic: Principle of Identity “what is, can also be affirmative or negative. is” ○ A=A “My view is not your view. Your view is not ethics your view” Deals with such questions at ALL levels ○ Mathematics: Principles of Its subjects consists: Inequality ○ Fundamental issues of political ○ Logic: Principle of Identity “what is, decisions is not is” ○ Major concern: nature of ultimate “If your view is not my view and my view is value and the standards by which right, then your view is not right” human actions can be judged right ○ Minor Premise - if your view is not or wrong. my view ○ Major Premise - and my view is right ○ Conclusion - then your view is not right PHILOSOPHY BEGINS in wonder!  ○ Mathematics: Principles of 2. Look for the characteristics not captured in Transitivity; A=B and B=C then A=C the initial definition Why must one choose only one, and never 3. Give a new definition have it both ways? Should the dispute be the end or should the dispute have ended? The phenomenological method “Either my view or your view is right, never Phenomenology both” ○ Greek words: “Phainomenon”-- ○ Aristotle’s Principle of Excluded Appearance; “Logos” – Study; study Middle: “Either it is or it is not, never of phenomenon both” ○ Is the investigation of the essence or the nature of material things or Knowing thought things that appear to us “Human person as a rational being” – Phenomenon Aristotle ○ Anything that exists of which the “Humans must live according to his nature” – mind is conscious. Ayn Rand “An unexamined life is not worth living” – EDMUND HUSSERL Socrates “The thinking! Is always conscious” Forerunner of Modern Philosophy Methods of philosophizing Philosophizing is a process of making sense out of experience – Susanne RENE DESCARTES Katherine Langer “I think; therefore, I am” Doubting=Thinking=Existing WHY? Question Everything. Doubted the certitude of the world outside of The history of philosophy the self (ego) Is marked by the struggle for the search for the right method. From the ancient period down to the present, the philosophers have Husserl’s phenomenology engaged into an open-ended debate arguing Attempts to describe what is given to us in about the possibility of a unified experience philosophical method. Reflecting upon our everyday immediate or lived experiences in order to gain some understanding of its underlying orders, occurrence, and structure. Conscious Experience - The first-person perspective of a mental event, such as feeling some sensory input, a memory, an idea, an emotion, a mood, or a continuous temporal sequence of Philosophizing will give way to the following happenings. A way to reveal the truth about different Transcendental Consciousness stages of life and everything associated with - Human beings’ aware reception of it. the world To find an avenue for full and unrestricted Reflexive Consciousness expressions of philosophical sentiments and - His own reflection of the world stands concerning contemporary issues To express the way to realization of things in a relevant way. Husserl’s METHod of phenomenology (pure phenomenology) Natural Attitude - reality is separable from Methods of philosophy subjective experience of it. Phenomenological Attitude -Suspend/bracket the natural attitude The socratic method -Epoche, allows consciousness of out Didactic Dialogue expressed in the critical experience of reality or things examination and crisis examinations of the EPOCHE = Phenomenological Reaction position of every participant of the - Phenomenological reduction conversation. - Process of analyzing a certain Asking and answering questions to stimulate subject critical thinking - bracketing/recording/identity/put to INTELLECTUAL MIDWIFERY (MAIEUTIC) one side ○ Intended to guide students to arrive - Unpacking of phenomena at the truth that is clear and free - One’s perception is examined and from doubt analyzed it purity ○ Not to create truth but a guide to Phenomenological Reduction truth - Enables us to assume a ○ Get ideas but do not free yourself to phenomenological attitude believe these ideas. - We know and understand the essence or meaning of things as LEARNING IGNORANCE they appear to be. - What one must do is to admit one knows nothing so that he can open himself for THE NATURAL ATTITUDE wisdom. - Man is rational Animal PHENOMENOLOGICAL ATTITUDE “To know what you know when you do know and - Man is a being that possess freedom or a know what you do not know when you don’t know: being that escapes definition that is KNOWLEDGE” - Broader perspective THREE STEPS TO ARRIVING AT THE TRUTH: 1. Give initial definition of a thing or a concept  4. Argumentum ad Populum (Bandwagon Hermeneutical method Fallacy) Hermeneutics - identified as the - This fallacious argument is a philosophical art of interpretation favorite marketing Act of dealing with the original meaning of technique/strategy by advertising text, recreating the textual meaning which agencies. It is used by appealing to lays before an open interpretation/ the popular sentiment of the public. Hermeneutic: ○ The art of understanding and interpretation of verbal and non-verbal expressions ○ We all experience and use Hermeneutic Phenomenology in our daily lives Truth can often times be subjective to your position, perspective, and previous directives. Martin Heidegger - The multi-dimensional opening to the meaning of the text - For DASEIN, life is a text that needs interpretation. The analytic method Directed upon either solving or decimating the problems of philosophy Analytic Philosophy is based on the idea of philosophical problems can be solved through on analysis of their terms and pure systematic logic. OPINION is not equal to TRUTH THE DOMAINS OF TRUTH - Truth is: - True state of a being or any matter - Based on observable facts - Supported by evidence - No evidence = insufficient = considered opinion 1. The Objective Truth - Maintains relative independence from perspective of human beings that perceive them 2. Social Domain Truth - Is an analogous with (not the exact equivalent) a general agreement or consensus on what is right as opposed to what is wrong 3. Personal Domain - Precarious domain of truth - Opinion are statements of judgement in need of justification. Fallacies 1. Argumentum ad Hominem (Argument against the Person) - This is a fallacy used when people convince others that someone’s argument should be rejected because of the person’s personal background his.her history, nationality, race, socio-economic status, family, associations, religion, and other circumstances. - This argument is considered fallacious because rightness or wrongness of a claim should not be affected by the background of the person claiming it. 2. Argumentum ad Baculum (Appeal to force) - This is an argument used by people who want to win a conflict by threats to their opponents. 3. Argumentum ad Misericordiam (Appeal to pity) - This fallacy is also called appeal top emotion. It is an argument used by people who want to win people by manipulating their emotions. A tactic mostly used by politicians during campaign period. ENVIRONMENT (basta last lesson) |INTRO TO PHILOSOPHY HERACLITUS DEPLETION OF NATURAL - A western philosopher in the RESOURCES ancient period once argued that - this happens because of the “the world is in constant change” society’s advancements brought - For him, the world involves and about by social and cultural ongoing process governed by the revolutions, increase in global law of change population, high consumption of - This simply means that everything resources, as well as in this world is continuously flowing modernization and economic and moving in some respect. globalization activities, our natural resources are depleting little by little. ENVIRONMENT - the sum total of all DEPLETION OF OZONE LAYER surroundings of a living - one of the most serious problems organism, including natural that our planet earth is facing forces and other living things, today. which provide condition development, growth as well as WASTE POLLUTION of danger and damage. - common in urban and densely populated areas. These wastes are COMMON ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS usually in solid form which cause land, air and water pollution if not properly disposed. AIR POLLUTION - contamination of the air in the ACIDIFICATION atmosphere. - the acidification of sea waters, according to experts on marine WATER POLLUTION ecosystem, was credited to - environmental problem cause by oil excessive amount of carbon spill, acid rain, and another dioxide component in the ocean. hazardous chemical that mixed with water. INCREASE IN SEA/OCEAN TEMPERATURE ACID RAIN - the rapid increase in sea level and - according to the United States ocean temperature are attributed Environmental Protection Agency to climate change and global (US-EPA), acid rain occurs when warming. the harmful gases are released into the atmosphere through burning OVER POPULATION fossil fuels and combustion of - most of the environmental risks vehicle engines. have both direct and indirect connection to overpopulation. CLIMATE CHANGE - it refers to an increase in the average global temperature. DEFORESTATION - environmental problem refers to the cutting of trees for agricultural, industrial, housing or urban use. ALTHEA REANO| 1 EARTH SCIENCE The Human Person in Relation to  Certain living things also have value and all life has ethical His or Her Environment standing  Development is opposed if it HUMAN AS MASTERS OF THE destroys life, even if it creates jobs. ENVIRONMENT o God said, “Let us make man in our ECOCENTRISM own image in the likeness of ourselves, and let them be masters  Believes that humankind is a part of the fish of the sea, the birds of of a greater biological system or heaven, the cattle, all the wild community and that we have a beasts and all the reptiles that significant role as stewards or crawl upon the earth.” God created guardians of nature. man in the image of himself, in the image of God he created him, male  The whole ecological systems have and female, he created them. God value and uses the holistic blessed them saying to them, “Be perspective thus it stresses fruitful, fill the earth and conquer it. preserving connections. Be masters of the fish of the sea, the birds of heaven and all living  It values the well-being of species, animals on the earth.” (Genesis communities or ecosystems. 1:26-28, The Jerusalem Bible) 2 FRAMEWORKS WHERE HUMANS CAN BE RELATED: JOHN DONNE 1. Anthropocentric 2. Ecocentric “No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of continent, a part of the main.” 3 ETHICAL PERSPECTIVES 1. Anthropocentrism 2. Biocentrism 3. Ecocentrism ANTHROPOCENTRISM  Belief that human person are the most important entity in the universe.  Only humans have rights wherein the cost and benefits are measured only according to their impact on people. BIOCENTRISM  Believes that humans are not the only significant species on the planet and that all other organisms have inherent value and should be protected. This view advocates ethical treatment of animals. ALTHEA REANO | 2 EARTH SCIENCE ANTHROPOCENTRIC MODEL - Populations control given equal weight to resource use. o based on the Anthropocentric model, humans are superior and - Strong regulation by independent central to the universe, thus it is authorities required. human centered. – human - The people are considered – culture environmental managers: view the – individualism Earth as a garden that needs – mind tending. – calculative – human over/against - They hold the view that there are environments problems and that we need – global/technological government to legislate to protect the environment and the resources ECOCENTRIC MODEL from overexploitation and economies sustainable. o the ecological or relational integrity of the humans provides meaning of TYPES OF ENVIRONMENTAL our morals and values and it is STEWARDS nature centered. o devoted to preserving the totality DOERS of Earth’s biodiversity and the - They go out and help the cause by functioning of its life-supporting taking action system. – nature DONORS – wild - The person that financially helps – holism the caused. They can do anything – body from donating their money, to – relational hosting public events to raised – earth/wisdom funds. Typically, they are – ecology over/against humans governmental agencies. Humans as Stewards of the PRACTITIONERS Environment - They work on a day-to-day basis to steer governmental agencies, ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP scientist, stakeholder groups, or - refers to responsible use and any other group toward a protection of the natural stewardship outcome. environment through conservation and sustainable practices. - It is geared toward harmony with the world without abandoning humanity's commitment to social justice - "The Judeo-Christian Stewardship Attitude to Nature" - People as environmental managers of sustainable global systems. ALTHEA REANO | 3 EARTH SCIENCE As human persons, it is our responsibility to Philosophical Approaches to treat with respect not only our fellow humans, Ecology but also everything in our world. Upholding environmentalism and sustainability will enable ECOLOGY us to take the first steps in addressing environmental issues and contribute to solving - refers to the scientific analysis of the greater environmental challenge of climate the interaction between animals, change. plants, and their inorganic environment 3 ECOLOGICAL THEORIES DEEP ECOLOGY - all things in the world has their intrinsic value. An ecological philosophy developed by Norwegian philosopher Arne Naess in the early 1970’s asserting that all life forms have an equal right to exist, and human needs and desires have no priority over those of other organisms. Believes that the living environment should be respected and regarded as having rights to flourish, independent of its utility to humans. SOCIAL ECOLOGY - interrelationship between the human person and his/her environment. - it is a critical social theory founded by American anarchist and libertarian socialist author Murray Bookchin. Conceptualized as a critique of current social, political, and anti-ecological trends, it espouses a reconstructive, ecological, communitarian, and ethical approach to society. TRANSPERSONAL ECOLOGY - to understand not just the importance of the environment to us, but our role in the life cycle. - our environmental is created for every human, so you as good as one being must take good care of nature. – remember life is all about balance. ALTHEA REANO | 4