Hank and Dr. Antonnete PDF - Introduction to Philosophy

What is Philosophy? These days, people often use the word “philosophy” to describe opinions or approaches to various topics, like having a "philosophy" about golf. However, we’ll use this word more narrowly to describe a way of approaching the world that dates back to ancient Greece, 500 years befo...

What is Philosophy? These days, people often use the word “philosophy” to describe opinions or approaches to various topics, like having a "philosophy" about golf. However, we’ll use this word more narrowly to describe a way of approaching the world that dates back to ancient Greece, 500 years before the Common Era. At that time, thinkers were distinguishing between philos and mythos—what we’d now call science and storytelling. While bards like Homer were explaining the world through stories, the earliest philosophers used more analytical methods, even though they didn’t have the concept of "science" as we know it today. The term philosophia, meaning "the love of wisdom," represented a new way of making sense of the world. When early philosophers used the word "philosophy," they meant the academic study of anything, which could even include golf! At Plato’s Academy and Aristotle’s Lyceum—two of the first universities—subjects like math, biology, physics, poetry, and political science were all considered philosophy. Over time, these fields became separate disciplines, with philosophy becoming more focused on big questions rather than empirical answers. The Big Questions Philosophy is still about asking big questions—questions that may never have clear answers. One of the first major questions philosophers asked was: What is the world like? This question leads to other deeper questions: What’s the nature of reality? Is the world just made of matter and energy, or is something else involved? Where did it all come from? Is there a God? What kind of being am I? Do I have a soul? These questions fall under the branch of philosophy called metaphysics, which explores the fundamental nature of the world, the universe, and existence. How Do We Know? (Epistemology) Beyond metaphysics, there’s also the question of how we can know anything about the world at all. This branch of philosophy, called epistemology, deals with questions like: Is the world really what I think it is? What is truth? What’s the best way to discover the truth? Can I ever be certain about anything? Epistemology is essentially the study of knowledge—how we know what we know. How Should We Live? (Value Theory) Another branch of philosophy is value theory, which addresses how we should live and what we should value. This is divided into two main branches: 1. Ethics: This branch studies how humans should live together. It raises questions like: How should I live? Do I owe anything to strangers, or to myself? What about animals or the earth? Ethics is not just about right and wrong; it’s about how we determine our obligations and responsibilities based on our values. 2. Aesthetics: This branch explores beauty and art. Philosophers who study aesthetics ask: What is beauty? Does beauty objectively exist, or is it subjective? Both ethics and aesthetics are part of value theory because they deal with what we value and how we evaluate it. Logic: The Philosopher's Toolbox Finally, there’s logic, the toolbox philosophers use to find answers. Logic helps philosophers build strong arguments without falling into fallacies. It’s the systematic way of reasoning that makes philosophical inquiry precise and structured. Everyday Philosophy You’ve probably done philosophy in your everyday life, even without realizing it. Every time you argue with your parents, wonder if you should date someone, or choose between a salad and a Hot Pocket, you’re doing philosophy. You’re thinking about the world, your place in it, and what you value. The Two-Step Method of Philosophy As we go through this course, we’ll follow a two-step method: 1. Understanding: We’ll try to understand ideas as charitably as possible, even if we don’t agree with them. 2. Critical Evaluation: We’ll challenge our understanding by critically evaluating ideas, even if we agree with them. This process helps us decide if certain views are worth holding. Conclusion Philosophy isn’t just about memorizing a body of knowledge. Success in this course means learning how to think. You’ll formulate arguments to support your ideas, explain why you think you’re right, and use philosophical reasoning to tackle life’s most perplexing questions. So, we’ll explore metaphysics, epistemology, value theory, and logic, all while sharpening your thinking skills. It won’t be about golf, but it’ll definitely be about learning how to think critically.