Philosophy-Notes.docx

**DOING PHILOSOPHY** **"An unexamined life is not worth living." - Socrates** **Philosophy** comes from two Greek words: Philos (love) and Sophia (wisdom) which were used by ancient Greeks to refer to "love of wisdom" and soon applied to the study or discipline that uses HUMAN REASON to investigat...

**DOING PHILOSOPHY** **"An unexamined life is not worth living." - Socrates** **Philosophy** comes from two Greek words: Philos (love) and Sophia (wisdom) which were used by ancient Greeks to refer to "love of wisdom" and soon applied to the study or discipline that uses HUMAN REASON to investigate the ultimate causes, reasons, and principles which govern all things. **Philosophers** are people who engage in philosophy or are "lovers of wisdom" They ask questions with a genuine intention to know. A genuine desire to know begins with humble admission of one's own ignorance. With this desire, comes the courage to ASK QUESTIONS. With this constant admission, one will be more OPEN TO LEARNING NEW things. This is the beginning of true wisdom. **HUMAN REASON** -- is the cognitive capacity that allows human to PROCESS information, makes decisions, and solve problems. It encompasses several faculties: perception, memory, judgment, and inference. These faculties enable, individuals to understand the world, from beliefs and make logical connections between ideas. **KEY ASPECT OF HUMAN REASON:** Logical reasoning Critical thinking Problem-solving Decision making Ethical & moral reasoning **Challenges and Limitations** \-- Despite its strengths, human reason is not infallible. Cognitive biases, emotional influences, and misinformation can distort reasoning processes. - **PHILOSOPHERS** **Pythagoras** a mathematician and scientist, credited with formulating the Pythagorean Theorem established a community of learners devoted to the **study of religion and philosophy.** **Heraclitus** proposed that everything that exists is based on **a higher order or plan** which he called **logos** (a Greek word means WORDS) change is permanent aspect of the human condition; **"No man ever steps in the same river twice."** **Heraclitus** He pointed out that the world is characterized by **OPPOSITES**. If we were never ill, we would not know what it was to be well. If we never knew hunger, we would take no pleasure in being full. If there were never any war, we would not appreciate peace. Both GOOD and BAD have their inevitable place in the order of things. Without this constant interplay of opposites, the world would cease to exists **Democritus** study the **causes of natural phenomena** was among the first to propose that matter is composed of tiny particles called **atoms**. **Diogenes of Sinope** a known advocate of **living a simple and virtuous life** one should not only talk of virtue but should show it in words and actions his emphasis on austerity and simplicity often went to the extreme and was said to have lived like a beggar. **Epicurus** philosophy could enable man to live a **[life of happiness]** his views gave rise to **Epicureanism** -- a **school of philosophy** which believes that **[wisdom and simple living will result in a life free of fear and pain.]** **Socrates** considered **the foremost philosopher of ancient times** he did not claim to be "wise" and merely considered himself a "**midwife**" that helped inquiring minds achieve wisdom believed that philosophy could enable a man to live a life of virtue. formulated the **Socratic Method** -- a means of examining a topic by devising a **series of questions** that let the learner examine and analyze his knowledge and views regarding the topic. **Plato** a student of Socrates, he wrote down his mentor's teachings and incorporated some of his own ideas his **teachings and writings** were considered the foundation of Western philosophy. **dialectic** -- a method of inquiry where **two opposing ideas are discussed** in an attempt to arrive at new knowledge founded the **Academy -- an institution of higher learning** which was the first of its kind in the Western World. **Aristotle** he attended the academy and prominent student of Plato. **[All ideas and views]** are based on **perception** and our **reality** is based on what we can **[sense and perceive]** studied LOGIC that led to the formulation of a formal process of analyzing reasoning which gave rise to - **[deductive reasoning --]** the process by which **specific statements are analyzed** to reach a conclusion or generalization. **THE NEED TO PHILOSOPHIZE** [We all have the potential to philosophize] since we tend to wonder and doubt. We possess the capacity to reflect on our experiences, and we have a never-ending need to learn and discover. The need to philosophize is traced to a person's sense of wonder (Plato) and doubt (Rene Descartes), the need to make sense of challenging experiences (Karl Jaspers), and the love for wisdom. **Plato** The Greek philosopher Plato traced man's need to philosophize to his sense of **[WONDER]**. Plato was concerned with the relationship between what is **eternal** and **immutable** on one hand, and what flows on the other. He believed in the existence of an immaterial world of perfect objects and Forms (ideas). According to him, the physical world that we perceive with our senses is just a shadow of a higher reality composed of unchanging, perfect forms or ideas. **RENE DESCARTES** -- His main concern was with what we can know, or in other words, certain knowledge. When it came to acquiring certain knowledge, many of his contemporaries voiced a total philosophic **skepticism**. Cogito, Ergo Sum ***"I THINK, THEREFORE I AM"*** Descartes asserted that the very act of doubting one's own existence served -- at a minimum- as [proof] of the **reality of one's own mind;** there must be a THINKING ENTITY. **CHARACTERISTICS OF PHILOSOPHY** 1\. The study of philosophy is a **WAY** of [analyzing] ideas and frameworks. **FRAMEWORKS** -- is defined as a [WAY of THINKIN]G about the world and is composed of the views and beliefs of a person. 2\. It is also considered a way of [examining] a particular area of knowledge. 3\. As a **discipline** (field of study). **PHILOSOPHY AS DISCIPLINE** Philosophy itself is a discipline with its own goals, concerns, and ways of doing things. It also makes use of information gathered [from other fields of knowledge and not just its own conclusions]*.* Finally, philosophy can be considered a reflective and meditative activity. **BRANCHES OF PHILOSOPHY** **LOGIC** the branch of philosophy that deals with **correct reasoning**. Logic is concerned with [reasoning and rationality]. It examines the principles of **valid reasoning**, logical inference, and argumentation. Logic helps us develop critical thinking skills and analyze arguments for validity and soundness. **ETHICS** the branch which deals with moral questions and dilemmas. Ethics or the study of moral values deals with moral principles and the concepts of **[RIGHT and WRONG.]** It explores questions related to morality, ethical theories, and the application of moral principles to human conduct and decision-making. **METAPHYSICS** is also called the **["study of reality"]**. It explores the nature of reality, existence, and the universe\'s fundamental structure. It deals with questions about the nature of being, the mind-body problem, free will, and the nature of time and space. **Epistemology** discusses the nature of knowledge and knowing. Epistemology investigates the nature of knowledge and **how we acquire it.** It explores questions such as: What is knowledge? How do we justify our beliefs? What are the limits of human understanding? **Aesthetics** deals with beauty and what makes things **"beautiful**" **Political Philosophy** studies governments and deals with questions of justice, power, and the rights and obligations of citizens. **Philosophy of the Human Person** understands the human person from a philosophical perspective -- **integrating and synthesizing** the different [branches] of philosophy and other fields of study to know the truth about the human person. **PRACTICAL USES OF PHILOSOPHY** 1\. Philosophy enables a person to **engage in critical analysis and interpretation** of concepts, definitions, arguments, and problems. 2\. Philosophy also **improves problem-solving and decision-making.** 3\. A philosopher is a good communicator who can **clearly and adequately present** his or her ideas. 4\. Wisdom is one intended product of philosophizing that refers to a person's ability to [apply knowledge] **to daily life**, particularly in *making sound choices and judgments.* 5\. Knowledge of Philosophy can contribute to **self-development.** **What is PHILOSOPHICAL QUESTION?** Before one gets to the philosophical questions, one begins with a **PROBLEM** that can **NOT** seem to be [readily] **ANSWERED**. It begins with an **UNEASE**. This feeling of inner discomfort comes from the experience of not being able to find immediate answers to our questions. Gabriel Marcel (French philosopher) shares that [philosophical questioning begin]s with **a metaphysical unease**. This form of unease is described as metaphysical because the scope of our questions covers something broader and deeper than what is immediately before us, beyond what we physically see. Every day we get visited my moments of UNEASE because of questions that ask us to take some time to REFLECT. Our modern world has been so designed to have an instant answer for everything so that we hardly move beyond practical everyday concerns. Our questions do NOT go beyond those immediate [personal questions such as "What I shall eat today?"] instead of questions like **"What is the meaning of life?"** The questions that the philosopher asks stem from genuine confusion, astonishment, and wonder. Those questions deeply touch on or have a bearing on the philosopher's understanding of the **meaning of life.** **Marcel likens** **philosophical questioning** to embarking on a **JOURNEY**. [Questions give birth to more questions.] One must understand that accepting the uncertainty that philosophical questions bring is not an empty nor futile exercise. Philosophical questioning may appear to be "useless" but there is value in philosophizing. **Bertrand Russell** argues that the difficult and unanswerable questions of philosophy deliver us from the stubborn and stale position of dogmatism. As soon as we welcome these questions by allowing them to disturb us, the [hard shell of dogmatism begins to break.] It may be painful and overwhelming in the beginning, but the opening of the shell brings in a breath of fresh air. **Dogmatism** (n.) -- an expression of an opinion or belief as if it were a fact; positiveness in assertion of opinion especially when unwarranted or arrogant. PHILOSOPHICAL QUESTIONS are inquiries that probe the fundamental aspects of **existence, reality, knowledge, values, and nature of human existence.** These questions often LACK definitive answers and can spark deep contemplation, and discussion. They often don't have clear and straightforward answers. They usually require deep thought and sometimes don't have answers. **What is HOLISTIC THINKING?** Holistic Thinking refers to a perspective that considers [large-scale patterns] in the system often described as looking at the "[big picture]" when describing and analyzing a situation or problem vequires an individual to have an open mindset and an ability to get the general sense/impression regarding a situation. **What is PARTIAL THINGKING?** focuses on [specific aspects of a situation] an important component of analytical thinking, as an individual focus on certain [areas or aspects] of a problem to understand it. though partial thinking is useful, philosophy utilizes holistic thinking in making sense of problems and issues related to the human experience. **How does HOLISTIC THINKING Help us?** Adopting a [holistic view] enables a person to view a [problem] more objectively and come up with better decisions or solutions. A **holistic** view also means that one does not confine one's understanding of the world to one's **own perspective**, but also [includes] the [perspective of other]s. This view also enables a person to better appreciate his or her experience as vital components that give meaning to life. **Meaning of REFLECTION** 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.] The moment you wake up you can already reflect upon the things that you plan to do for the day. This will enable you to set your daily goals and set you on the path of thinking of ways to achieve them. REFLECTION is like looking in the mirror, except instead of trying to see your face, you are trying to see your experience, to make sense of it, and to identify what to do in the future. **The BENEFIT OF REFLECTION** Seemingly simple or mundane actions take a whole new meaning when one engages in reflection. In a reflective and philosophizing mood, one **thinks of deeper questions** and reflects on the situation. If you concentrate only on the simple questions in buying a shirt, one would just buy the shirt immediately. However, reflection allows an opportunity to think [more deeply] about an action, the [motivations for doing] such action, and even its possible [consequences]. **Reflection** is vital in [ensuring] that [our actions and decisions are well thought out] and are done with due regard for their implications and consequences on ourselves, others, and our surroundings. It helps us understand ourselves and our actions better. We can judge whether our [actions or decisions are reasonable or not.]