Unit 1 Nature of Philosophy PowerPoint PDF

1.1 What Is Philosophy? O The word philosophy comes from the Greek words philein, meaning “to love,” and sophia, meaning “wisdom.” O Philosophy begins with wonder and questions. O Its goal is to help us answer questions for ou...

1.1 What Is Philosophy? O The word philosophy comes from the Greek words philein, meaning “to love,” and sophia, meaning “wisdom.” O Philosophy begins with wonder and questions. O Its goal is to help us answer questions for ourselves, and make up our own minds about our self, life, knowledge, society, religion, and morality. © 2017 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use.  Plato’s Allegory of the Cave O The Allegory of the Cave, from The Republic of Plato, provides a powerful image of philosophy (5-6) O What is the setting? O How does the story begin? O What happens to the prisoner once he’s unchained? O What happens to him when he returns to the cave? © 2017 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use.  Key Points in The Allegory of the Cave (slide 1 of 2) O The myth describes the philosopher's climb from the dark cave of philosophical ignorance up into the light of philosophical wisdom. O The story begins with chained prisoners watching shadows cast on a cave wall by objects passing in front of a fire. They mistake the shadows for reality. © 2017 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use.  Key Points in The Allegory of the Cave (slide 2 of 2) O If a prisoner is freed and forced to see the fire and objects, he will have difficulty seeing and will think the shadows are more real than the objects. O The prisoner would at first be blinded if he were dragged out of the cave into the light. O If he returns to the cave, he would be unable to see and would be laughed at. © 2017 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use.  Plato’s Allegory and “Doing” Philosophy O Plato’s myth is an allegory for what it means to “do” philosophy. O Philosophy is an activity—not an outcome. O The activity of philosophy can be hard work. O The aim of this activity is freedom. O Philosophy examines our most basic assumptions. © 2017 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use.  Examining our Most Basic Assumptions O Both Plato and the woman philosopher Perictione remind us that, as the pursuit of wisdom, philosophy involves the examination of our most fundamental assumptions. O What are two basic assumptions you make about human nature, the nature of reality, or morality? Do you believe that you should accept them after reflecting on them? © 2017 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use.  The Diversity of Philosophy O The search for wisdom cuts across all races, cultures, and sexes. O Therefore, this text will look not only at Western philosophers, but also Indian, African, and Asian philosophers. O Additionally, although woman philosophers have been ignored or neglected, this book includes discussions of an approach to philosophy that tries to capture the special philosophical insights of female philosophers. © 2017 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use.  1.2 The Traditional Divisions of Philosophy O Philosophy has traditionally pursued three kinds of questions: O What is knowledge? O What is real? O What is right and good? © 2017 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use.  Epistemology: The Study of Knowledge O The field of philosophy that addresses this question is called epistemology. O Epistemology deals with questions about the nature of knowledge, its reliability and extent, and the nature of truth. O Write out two examples of epistemological questions. O What sorts of epistemological assumptions does the feminist philosopher Gail Stenstad call into question? What claims does she make? © 2017 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use.  Metaphysics: The Study of Reality or Existence O The field of philosophy that addresses this question is called metaphysics. O Metaphysics addresses questions of reality, the nature of mind, self, and human freedom, as well as some topics that overlap with religion. O Write out two examples of metaphysical questions. O What metaphysical assumptions did Paul Henri d’Holbach call into question? How does Frankl argue against Holbach? © 2017 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use.  Ethics: The Study of Values O The field of philosophy that addresses this question is called ethics. O Ethics is the study of our values and moral principles and how they relate to human conduct and to our social and political institutions. O What are two examples of ethical questions? O What ethical assumptions did Gandhi call into question? What alternative viewpoint did the egoist philosopher Harry Browne offer? © 2017 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use.  Other Philosophical Inquiries O Philosophy also includes a range of inquiries usually referred to as "the philosophy of…” O These examine the basic assumptions underlying particular areas of human knowledge or activity. They include: O Philosophy of science O Philosophy of art O Political philosophy © 2017 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use.  1.3 A Philosopher in Action: Socrates O To better understand philosophy, we’ll take a close look at Socrates, who is sometimes called the father of Western philosophy. O Socrates was born 469 BCE in Athens, Greece, a flourishing and vigorous city- state. O He was well-known for his practice of questioning powerful men about their beliefs. O This led to his death, after Athenians claimed © 2017 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use. that Socrates had weakened the traditional values and beliefs that made Athens strong  The Dialogues of Plato O Socrates left no writings, so most of what we know about him comes from the Dialogues of Plato, one of Socrates’ disciples. O The Dialogues are short dramas in which the character of Socrates usually plays a major role. O There is some controversy over whether Plato’s Dialogues reflect the real conversations and views of Socrates. O We’ll look at four dialogues: A) Euthyphro, © 2017 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or B) The Republic, C) The service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use. Apology, and D) Crito.  A) Euthyphro O Euthyphro shows Socrates questioning traditional religious beliefs about “holiness,” or action required by religious duty. O Under what circumstances do Euthyphro and Socrates meet? © 2017 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use.  Thinking about Holiness O What sort of account of holiness does Socrates seek from Euthyphro, and how do Euthyphro’s answers fall short? O Socrates asks Euthyphro, “Do the gods love what is holy because it is holy, or is it holy because they love it?” O How does Euthyphro answer this? O What other answers are there? Is there a best answer? © 2017 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use.  B) The Republic O In the selection from The Republic, Socrates is exploring the question, “What is justice?” O He uses his questioning method to show Thrasymachus, a well-known teacher, that he does not know what he is talking about. © 2017 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use.  Thinking about Justice O How does Thrasymachus answer the question, “What is justice?” (25-26) O How does Thrasymachus explain his answer? O Explain how Socrates tests the truth of Thrasymachus’ answer. (26-27) O Write out Socrates’ argument against Thrasymachus’ conception of justice. List the premises and conclusion as separate statements. O Are you convinced by his argument? What © 2017 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or questions does it raise for you? service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use.  C) The Apology O Shortly after the scene described in Euthyphro, Meletus and others brought Socrates to trial. O The Apology is Plato’s account of the speech Socrates delivered in his own defense. © 2017 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use.  Exploring Socrates’ Defense O Why is Socrates on trial? O What is Socrates’ explanation of the origin of the charges against him? (28) O How does Socrates come to do philosophy? O What does Socrates conclude about his own wisdom, and how does arrive at this conclusion? © 2017 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use.  D) Crito O Even after his trial, Socrates continues his practice of doing philosophy. O In Crito, Plato recounts Socrates’ conversation with his close friend, Crito, the day before his execution. Crito tries to convince him to escape. © 2017 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use.  Do We Have an Obligation to Obey the Law? O Review Socrates’ three arguments against escaping (32-34). O Are any terms vague or ambiguous? O Are there any debatable assumptions? Which premises seem acceptable and which not? O Can you provide an alternative argument for Socrates’ conclusion, or for a different conclusion? O Under what condition is it permissible to disobey the law? © 2017 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use.  1.4 The Value of Philosophy O How does the philosophy help one to… O Achieve freedom? O Build one’s own view of life? O Cultivate Awareness? O Learn to think critically? © 2017 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use.  The Theme of This Text O This text might appear to address many disparate philosophical themes. The unifying question that draws them all together is: O Who and what am I? © 2017 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use.  1.5 Reading (slide 1 of 2) O Why study philosophy? O In his “Story of a Good Brahmin,” the eighteenth-century philosopher Voltaire suggests that even though an ignorant person may be much happier than a philosopher, we nevertheless prefer the despair of philosophy to ignorant contentment. © 2017 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use.  1.5 Reading (slide 2 of 2) O Do you believe that Voltaire is right? Would you rather be the Brahmin than the old woman who was his neighbor? Why? O If you would rather be the Brahmin—why do you prefer knowledge to happiness? © 2017 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use.