Intro. II: Philosophy

1. Introduction II
The Nature of Philosophy

2.  Philosophy originated in the 9th
century B.C. in ancient Greece.
◦ Important philosophers from the
“classical” period (the 5th to 4th centuries
B.C.) of ancient Greece are Socrates,
Plato, and Aristotle.

3.  The word “philosophy” comes from a
Greek phrase meaning “the love of
wisdom,” which included the beginning
of what we now call “science.”

4.  Today, however, philosophy is taken to
cover only certain fields, which are
considered to be distinct from
“science.”
◦ Philosophy seeks to logically answer
fundamental questions about reality and
human life.
◦ As this course will seek to convey,
philosophy is relevant to the world we live
in today.

5.  Each current field of philosophy seeks to answer a
certain fundamental question (along with many
derivative questions).
Field of Philosophy Fundamental Question
Metaphysics What is the nature of reality as a whole?
Epistemology How can a human being acquire knowledge, if
at all?
Ethics How should a human being live?
Politics How should a society of humans be
organized?
Esthetics What is the nature and value of art?

6.  This gives us the current definition of
philosophy: “the field that studies
the nature of reality as whole and of
man’s relationship to it.”

7.  In this course, we will explore the
following philosophic questions.
◦ Can we know that God exists?
(Metaphysics and epistemology)
◦ How should a person live? (Ethics)
◦ What kind of political state is legitimate?
(Politics)

8.  The assigned reading selections, and
the following Slide Presentations on
the readings, convey attempts by
philosophers to answer these
questions, and logically justify the
answers.

9.  For the required Discussion posts and
written Assignments (and the Extra-
Credit Essay, if you choose to do it),
you will be asked to present your
philosophic thinking on questions
related to the same subjects as the
readings.

10.  An important key to good philosophic
reasoning is to strive to be logical and
fact-based. Avoid expressing opinions
without supporting them with facts.

11.  For example, a claim such as “God
exists,” “God does not exist,” “God’s
existence is proved,” or “God’s
existence cannot be proved,” is just a
bare opinion, and should not be
asserted in philosophy assignments,
unless you try to support it logically,
with facts.

12.  The same applies to statements like
“Temperance is a virtue” or
“Collectivism is good.”

13.  The assigned reading selections (each
with the corresponding Slide
Presentations) will give you examples
of attempts to support these kinds of
claims logically, with facts.

14.  The point of the Discussion posts,
written Assignments, and Extra-Credit
Essay, is to get you to develop and
practice your philosophic reasoning
(and writing) skills.

15.  Good philosophic reasoning can
improve your critical thinking skills in
any field, including that of your chosen
career.

16.  This course is designed so that, if you
make a consistent, diligent effort
throughout the course, and bear the
point above in mind, you will develop
your philosophic reasoning skills, and
hopefully come to enjoy it!