Philosophy “In a Nutshell” An introduction to some of the branches of philosophy, the questions they ask, and the perspectives shaped by certain answers given...
Dec 14, 2015
Philosophy “In a Nutshell”
An introduction to some of the branches of philosophy, the questions they ask, and the perspectives shaped by certain answers given...
Philosophy “In a Nutshell”
• Philosophy is literally the “Love of Wisdom”
• It is the love of questioning
• More specifically, it’s the
• “Rational and critical inquiry into life’s most basic, or most essential questions”
Each “view” responds to different questions, and the questions relate to different fields of philosophic inquiry:
Each “view” responds to different questions, and the questions relate to different fields of philosophic inquiry:
Is the study of the Prescriptive Principles used to discern right from wrong.
Each “view” responds to different questions, and the questions relate to different fields of philosophic inquiry:
Is the study of the Prescriptive Principles used to discern right from wrong.
These principles are often derived from specific worldviews
Each “view” responds to different questions, and the questions relate to different fields of philosophic inquiry:
Are formed by responding to questions of….
EPISTEMOLOGY: “How do I Know?”
METAPHYSICS: “What is Real?”
Each “view” responds to different questions, and the questions relate to different fields of philosophic inquiry:
Are formed by responding to questions of….
ETHICAL SYSTEMS: “What is the Good?”
Each “view” responds to different questions, and the questions relate to different fields of philosophic inquiry:
Are formed by responding to questions of….
ETHICAL SYSTEMS: “What is the Good?”
There are many different systems of determining right from wrong, and those systems often conflict...
Each “view” responds to different questions, and the questions relate to different fields of philosophic inquiry:
Are formed by responding to questions of….
ETHICAL SYSTEMS: “What is the Good?”
…yet most systems have the same CRITERIA: a prescriptive system should be Objective, Rational, Clear-cut and Impartial.
Further, it should be Consistent with the World-view it is founded on.
Scientific Materialism
According to this view, “what is Real” is ultimately that which is Physical. The world is known via our sensory experience. Reality is measurable,
predictable, and controllable.
ScientificMaterialism
Spiritualism
According to this view, there is something both above and beyond the physical. In addition to knowing the world through our senses we have
intuitive knowledge of the soul and the spiritual, or through revelation
ScientificMaterialism
Idealism \Realism
Spiritualism
This view asserts that ultimately, anything that is
known is know via the mind, and that the truths of the mind (ex.: 2+2=4) are more certain than
knowledge of either the senses or intuition
…and there are three major corresponding CATEGORIES for the different ethical views...
ScientificMaterialism
Idealism \Realism
Spiritualism
…and there are three major corresponding CATEGORIES for the different ethical views...
Utilitarianism
ScientificMaterialism
Idealism \Realism
Spiritualism
Utilitarianism
ScientificMaterialism
Idealism \Realism
Spiritualism
This view contends thatThe Good rests with finding the greatest amount of Pleasure for the greatest number of people. In the material world, pleasure
is the common denominator
…and there are three major corresponding CATEGORIES for the different ethical views...
Utilitarianism Natural Law
ScientificMaterialism
Idealism \Realism
Spiritualism
Utilitarianism Natural Law
ScientificMaterialism
Idealism \Realism
Spiritualism
One does not need to be Spiritual to adopt the principles of Natural Law, but this view argues that the design
for what is Good is imprinted in Nature. Reason needs only interpret
nature to find “good” principles
…and there are three major corresponding CATEGORIES for the different ethical views...
Utilitarianism Kant’sDeontology
Natural Law
ScientificMaterialism
Idealism \Realism
Spiritualism
…and there are three major corresponding CATEGORIES for the different ethical views...
Utilitarianism Kant’sDeontology
Natural Law
ScientificMaterialism
Idealism \Realism
Spiritualism While Kant claims that ethics should not be
dependent on a particular worldview, his “duty based” ethical theory is rooted in logic and language, and is in line with an Idealistic
perspective. Simply put, the Good is that which is good for everyone. The Good is that which is
“uninversalizable”
Simple Analogies:
Studying Philosophy is like a third grader learning about grammar: they already know how to speak correctly be fore they learn WHY it is correct
Choosing a Worldview/Ethical view is a lot like choosing a Political party; which view more closely matches your own? While a voter may cross-vote, or even change parties, they do so for deliberate reasons, not arbitrary ones
Studying the world this way is like observing a sport (ex: Cricket!) and trying to figure out what the rules are by observation and critical thinking alone (no pre-given explanations, no guide book!)
So… What’s YOUR view?
• What views are held by your colleagues?• What happens when views conflict?• Can you “mix & match”?• Do views change over time?
Quick Review:
• Philosophy -- ultimately is about ways of “looking at” the world. It’s a discipline that studies worldviews.
• Different worldviews are foundations for different Ethical systems or “value systems”.
• Studying ethical systems and their foundations is the first step in thinking critically about ethical conflicts.
• The benefits of studying different ethical perspectives include (a) articulating your own worldview and moral perspective, and (b) broadening your perspective to understand and develop tolerance for differing views.