8/27 - Introduction

7/30/2019 8/27 - Introduction

1/20

AN INTRODUCTION TO THE

INTRODUCTION OF PHILOSOPHY

7/30/2019 8/27 - Introduction

2/20

Archaeology is the search for fact... not truth. If it's truth you're looking for, Dr. Tyree's philosophy class is right down the

hall.-Dr. Indiana Jones

7/30/2019 8/27 - Introduction

3/20

Philosophy (as a process) begins with the wonder of our existence, or even just

an awe at the complexity of reality, and our seemingly mysterious place within

it.

Therefore, it necessarily starts from our ignorance about either particular truths

(truestatements about reality) or truth in general (what truth is and how it is

to be recognized as a part ofsuch statements).

7/30/2019 8/27 - Introduction

4/20

PHILOSOPHIA

... the love of wisdom! But, whatiswisdom, exactly?

Intelligence? (capacityto learn, reason, and solve puzzles)

Experience? (advantage which benefits our understanding andability to act in a way informedby our past)

Knowledge? (discovery, possesion, orgrasping oftruth)

Some might maintain that wisdom is either a combonation of - or

a relationship between - all of these notions, if not more...

7/30/2019 8/27 - Introduction

5/20

Two basic forms of what we might mean when we say...PHILOSOPHY

(INFORMAL) A way of life.

also see: barstool philosophy

(FORMAL) An area of inquery or discipline. academic setting

scholarly rigor

research projects

7/30/2019 8/27 - Introduction

6/20

Two basic forms of what we might mean when we say...PHILOSOPHY

(INFORMAL) A way of life.

also see: barstool philosophy

(FORMAL) An area of inquery or discipline. academic setting

scholarly rigor

research projects

7/30/2019 8/27 - Introduction

7/20

On the other hand, what islove?

Four Greek terms for love:

Agpe (spiritual, selfless)

ros (bodily, erotic)

Philia (mental, rational)

Storge (familial, affectionate)BABY DON'T HURT ME!

7/30/2019 8/27 - Introduction

8/20

History of Western Philosophy

an ongoing attempt to definereal (or genuine) philosophical

problemswhile attempting to seek their answersthrough rational argument.

Ancient Eastern Philosophy a series of philosophical traditions(and religions) that advocate

certain ways of life, and explain how these can discoverstability, balance, and/or harmony

within the individualand their society.

Contemporary Comparative Philosophy a seemingly endless effort to bridge the gap between

these two series of goals - along with their methods - in order tojointlycontributeto resolving

universal questions about life (and beyond).

7/30/2019 8/27 - Introduction

9/20

Semi-Chronological ofWest. Phil.

Pre-Socratic Philosophy

Ancient Greek Philosophy

Medieval Philosophy

Renaissance PhilosophyModern Philosophy

Contemporary Philosophy

7/30/2019 8/27 - Introduction

10/20

EpistemologyWhat can we know? How do we know what we think we know?

A theory of knowledge attempts to provide the grounds for justifying our claimsabout the world. Epistemological positions tend to emphasize what kinds of

human faculties should be most relied on in order to say that we know something.

The notion of certainty is often a concern.

Several Approaches:

- Skepticism

- Rationalism- Empiricism

...Cognitive Science?

LOGIC ( O )

7/30/2019 8/27 - Introduction

11/20

LOGIC (known by some critics as LOLgic):What valid rules of inference need to be followed (and further

developed into certain formal languages) in order to judge the

truth and falsity of assertions? How are we to define truth and

falsity in a formal system? (also a concern in phil. of lang.)

Deductive: Validity + Soundness

Inductive: Probability

-natural sciences

Critical Thinking

Descriptions of fallacies

Proper styles of argumentation

A serious concern for logicians:

Is logic an internal formal

system that merelyoperates,

or can it genuinely contribute

to othersystemicsciences,

such as mathematics?

7/30/2019 8/27 - Introduction

12/20

Metaphysics(original context:afterPhysics - Aristotle's Metaphysics)

What is ultimate reality (outside our senses)? What is it like?

Major Branch: ONTOLOGY ~ What exists?

(just a few)Classic Problems:

Zeno's Paradox of motion

Mind/Body Problem

Universals vs. Particulars

Recent: Artificial Intelligence

7/30/2019 8/27 - Introduction

13/20

Ethics or moral philosophy

Name one thing in this world that is not negotiable.

- Walter White

An ambiguity of terms:

MORES (sociology):

- custom/convention

- societal normativity

ETHOS (Greek):

- rule-based action

- codes of conduct

~ Virtue ethics

~ Consequentialism

~ Deontological

moral relativism?

7/30/2019 8/27 - Introduction

14/20

AESTHETICSWhat is beauty?

- Is it only found in the eye of the beholder, or is there such a

thing as an objective criteria for beauty?

What is art?

- What makes goodart? Is there a goalto art? What is an artist?

7/30/2019 8/27 - Introduction

15/20

Some other developed areas...Philosophy of language: What is meaning?Is truth a mere linguistic construciton? How is communication possible, and what are its essential characteristics?

Philosophy of law (orjurisprudence): What is a state of nature, and how should we construct an ideal society in respect to this understanding the state of nature?

Philosophy of mind: Explores the nature of the mind and its relationship to the body and sensation. What is conciousness in regard to brain activity/brain states?

Philosophy of religion: Critical evaluation of spiritual ideas as well as dogma.

Philosophy of science: Fundamental questions about (modern) science through the concerns of many other areas in philosophy, notably epistemology and ethics.

....................................Philosophy of X? (infinite options, really)

7/30/2019 8/27 - Introduction

16/20

Meta-phi losophy(the philosophy of philosophy!)

The point of p hi losophy is to star t wi th someth

Russell's view...

PHILOSOPHY = the bridge between religious traditi

(evident by the increased precision of language, co

- Bertrand Russell

Edmond HusserlPhenomenology= philos

7/30/2019 8/27 - Introduction

17/20

What has philosophy turned into...?

Within philosophy proper:

CONTINENTAL vs. ANALYTIC philosophy

- style vs. content

- difference in ultimate concerns

- the rise of logical positivism (early 20th century)

Within [primarily Western] culture: SCIENCE vs. RELIGION debates:

- philosophical argumentation can be used on either side

- both run the risk of misunderstanding the role philosophy plays

7/30/2019 8/27 - Introduction

18/20

What role does thephilosopherplay today?

Global Concern pursuer

Obligation of asking the most possibly fundamental questions

Gadfly

A necessary pest

Mother Discipline

- Caretaker of less developed fields

Thought janitor

Constantly clarifying language in other disciplines

7/30/2019 8/27 - Introduction

19/20

Canyou change the discourse of

philosophy? YES, YES YOU CAN!Communicating ideas is a constant and evolving process between

sentient and articulate beings. If you can enter a room full of

people chatting up big ideas and be able to shift the

conversation from one topic to another based on your interest

all the while discovering the values and concerns of bothyourself and others you can do the same on a much larger

level.

The whole of reality isn't that much different from that room. It's

just a lot bigger, but not different in kind... you're as much a partof it as any room of any size. You're also locked up inside of it

with me and everyone else, so we might as well make what we

can of it while we're still breathing...

If not, we'll be forced to admit,Well, this party really died.

7/30/2019 8/27 - Introduction

20/20