Philosophy Notes PDF

PHILOSOPHY What is Philosophy? Philosophy - Comes from two Greek words philos (love) and sophia (wisdom). -Love of wisdom Philosophers - People who engage in philosophy Ancient Greek Philosophers 1. Pythagoras - A mathematician and scientist - Formulated the Pythagorean theorem 2. Heracli...

PHILOSOPHY What is Philosophy? Philosophy - Comes from two Greek words philos (love) and sophia (wisdom). -Love of wisdom Philosophers - People who engage in philosophy Ancient Greek Philosophers 1. Pythagoras - A mathematician and scientist - Formulated the Pythagorean theorem 2. Heraclitus - Everything that exist is based on higher order or plan which is called logos - "No man ever steps in the same river twice" 3. Democritus - Study the causes of natural phenomena - First to propose about atoms 4. Diogenes of Sinope - Advocate of living a simple and virtuous life - Was said to have lived like a beggar - Known as vocal critic of well-known philosophers such as Plato and Aristotle - Cynicism and Stoicism (influenced the development of several schools of philosophy) 5. Epicurus - Could enable man to live a life of happiness - Epicureanism (a school of philosophy which believes that wisdom and simple living will result in a life free of fear and pain) 6. Socrates - Made great contributions to field of ethics - He himself did not claim to be "wise" and merely considered himself a "midwife" - Socratic Method (examining topic by devising a series of questions...) - "I know that I do not know..." - "The unexamined life is not worth living" 7. Plato - Student of Socrates -Teachings and writings were considered the foundation of Western Philosophy -The Theory of Forms - Known for his dialect - Last contribution to learning was founding of the Academy 8. Aristotle -Student of Plato -For him, all ideas and views are based on perception and our reality is based on what we can sense and perceive. -Involved in a great variety of disciplines such as zoology, psychology, ethics and politics. Western Philosophy -More systematic and specialised in its approach. Eastern Philosophy - More fluid and places greater emphasis on social relations, the family and community. Plato - sense of wonder Rene Descartes - to doubt -15th Century French Philosopher Karl Jaspers- of experience -called these experiences limit situations -20th Century Swiss- German Philosopher Framework - a way of thinking about the world and is composed of the views and beliefs of a person Internal Questions - questions dealing with our own correctness and values External Questions - seek to question the very frameworks upon which people base their own beliefs and views. Branches of Philosophy 1. Aesthetic - deals with beauty 2. Logic - deals with correct reasoning 3. Epistemology - nature of knowledge and knowing 4. Ethics - deals with moral questions and dilemmas 5. Political Philosophy - studies governments and deals with questions of justice, power and the rights and obligations of citizens 6. Metaphysics - deals with questions regarding reality and existence Philosophy of the Human Person - an area in philosophy that understands the human person from a philosophical perspective Philosophy is a reflective and meditative activity, also a method of mental exercise. Holistic Thinking - considers large-scale patterns in systems - looking at the "big picture" - requires an individual to have an open mindset and an ability to general sense Partial Thinking - focuses on specific aspects of a situation - individual focuses on certain areas or aspects of a problem Reflection - requires a person to be willing to examine one's thoughts, feelings and actions and to learn more about one's life and experiences. Practical uses of Philosophy Philosophy enables a person to engage in critical analysis and interpretation of concepts, definition, arguments, and problems Philosophy also improves problem- solving and decision making A philosopher is a good communicator who can clearly and adequately present his or her ideas Wisdom Knowledge of Philosophy can contributeto self-development a) Scientific Approach -the investigation is systematic -follow certain steps b) Natural Light of Reason -uses his natural capacity to think and observe c)Study of All things -does not limit himself to a particular object of inquiry d)First cause or the highest Principle -everything in the world and every situation has a starting point or beginning e) Principle of Identity -whatever it is; and whatever is not is not; everything is what it is f) Principle of Non-Contradiction -impossible for a thing to be and not to be at the same time, and the same respect g) Principle of Excluded Middle - a thing is either is or not everything must be either be or not be Methods of Philosophizing Truth lies at the heart of any inquiry. Knowledge must be truthful to gain validity and acceptance. Philosophers considered truth as a kind of quality or value. Propositions - statements about the world or reality -may or may not carry truth -usually stated as short statements or sentences Knowledge -the clear awareness and understanding of something Facts - statements which are observed to be real or truthful Claim -further examination -not evidently or immediately known to be true Opinions -are comprised of statements which not only give facts but also provide conclusions or perspectives regarding certain situations -may advance a belief about certain things or provide explanations Beliefs - are statements that express convictions that are not easily and clearly explained by facts Explanations -statements that assume the claim to be true and provide reasons why the statement is true Arguments -are a series of statements that provide reasons to convince the reader or listener that a claim or opinion is truthful. -either claims of facts and are phrased in such a way that they seem reasonable Fallacy 1) Ad hominem - attacking the person presenting the Argument 2) Appeal to force -using threat of force or an undesirable event to advance argument 3) Appeal to Emotion - using emotions 4) Appeal to Popular - the idea is presented as acceptable because a lot of people accept it 5) Appeal to Tradition - the idea is acceptable because it has been true for a long time 6) Begging to question -assuming the thing or idea to be proven is true -known as circular argument 7) Cause-and-effect -assuming cause and effect relationship between unrelated events 8) Fallacy of Composition -assuming that what is true of part is true for the whole 9) Fallacy of Division -assuming that what is true for the whole is true for its parts Bias 1) Correspondence bias/attribution effect -tendency to judge a person's personality by his) her actions 2) Confirmation Bias -tendency to look for and readily accept information which fits one's own beliefs or views and reject ideas that go against it 3) Framing - focusing on a certain aspect of a problem while ignoring other aspects 4) Hindsight - the tendency to see past events as predictable or to ascribe a pattern to historical event 5) Conflict of Interest - a person/group is connected to or has a vested interest in the issue being discussed 6) Cultural Bias -analysing an event or issue based on one's cultural standards The Human Person as an Embodied Spirit Man - the general term commonly used to refer to the entire human race -humanity, mankind and humankind Human -refers to man as species- Homosapiens sapiens or modern human beings Human Being -used to distinguish man from other animals Person -much more complex term -refers to human being granted recognition of certain rights, protection, responsibilities and dignity, above all Human Person -as the totality of an individual, possessing awareness, self-determination and the capacity to interact with other and with himself or herself. Personhood -refers to the state of being a person Human Nature -refers to the characteristic that distinguish humans from all other creatures Self-awareness -refers to person having a clear perception of oneself, including his or her thoughts, emotions, identity and actions "Self" -describe as the person who is actively aware that he or she is perceiving and experiencing reality Self-determination -refers to the capability of person to make choices and decisions based on their preferences, monitor and regulate their actions, and be goal-oriented and self- directed. -to act and be aware of one's action Free Will -enables us to do actions whenever we want to and makes self-determination possible -the capacity to choose a course of action from various alternatives Consequence -the result or effect of an action or condition Morality -the goodness or badness of an act Dignity -the innate right to be valued and respected -worth or value -the inherent value of a person which cannot be expressed in quantifiable terms Interiority -experience "inner world" -personal thoughts and ideas -focused on one's inner life and identity Externality -the capability to reach out and interact with other and the world Spirit -the intangible element -enables us to exercise thought, possess awareness, interiority and the capacity to reach out to the outside world and other person's Transcendence -ability to surpass limits -also, one important trait that distinguishes the human person from other beings in existence The Human Person in the Environment Environment Environmental Philosophy or environmental ethics -the discipline in philosophy that studies the moral relationship of human beings with the environment and its non-human contents. 3 Major Views 1) Anthropocentrism -focuses on the significant role of humankind in the world and considers nature as the means by which humansare able to meet their needs and survive. -believes that humans are most important species on the planet 2) Biocentrism - believes human are not the only significant species on planet, and that all organisms have inherent value and should be protected. -drives the activities of humane organizations that advocate the ethical treatment of animals -R.A. 8485 or “The animal welfare act of 1998” 3) Ecocentrism -places great value on ecosystems and biological communities -believes that humankind is part of a greater biological system or community and that we have a significant role as stewards or guardians of nature - promotes idea that order and balance in nature brings about stability and beauty - “Deep Ecology” and “Gaia Hypothesis” Environmental Aesthetics -one philosophical view that believes maintaining order in the environment will bring out the natural beauty of the surroundings and contribute to the well-being of the people and other organisms living in it. -originally focused on concepts of beauty in nature -began in the 20th century Environmentalism -this perspective advocates to address the growing environmental problems -one important development that arose during the late 20th century Environmental Ethics - A moral approach that analyses the relationship between humans and environment - Emerged in the 1970s - Advocating human responsibility and action with regard to environmental issues Social Ecology -applies an ecological and ethical approach in analysing society, and sees a relationship between social problems and environmental problems. Climate Ethics and Climate Justice -arose from the growing concern with climate change Environmental Justice -refers to fair distribution of environmental benefits Sustainability/Sustainable Development - Concept that advocates the wise and efficient use of natural resources Relies on 3 Important Principles 1) Environmental Integrity -refers to maintaining the state of environment. 2) Economic Efficiency -refers to prudence in decision making regarding the use or resources to ensure that there is minimum to zero waste. 3) Equity - Demands that we use our natural resources in such a manner that these are conserve Prudence -is the ability to regulate one’s action and behaviour Frugality -is being thrifty with the use of one’s resources