This document provides an introduction to the topic of philosophy. It begins by explaining the origin of the term "philosophy," which comes from the ancient Greek words meaning "love of wisdom." The document then defines philosophy as the study of fundamental questions about reality, existence, knowledge, reason, and language. It provides some examples of common philosophical questions that explore topics like ethics, metaphysics, epistemology and more. Finally, it discusses the importance of philosophy in developing strong analytical and critical thinking skills to carefully examine beliefs, assumptions and arguments.

1. Introduction to
Philosophy
1
Philo Sophia

2. Introduction
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WHAT IS PHILOSOPHY? WHERE IT
BEGINS?

4. What is Philosophy?
• The Ancient Greek word “philosophia”
was probably coined by Pythagoras
and literally means "love of wisdom" or
"friend of wisdom".
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Philo Sophia

5. What is Philosophy?
• Philosophy is the study of the general
and fundamental nature of reality,
existence, knowledge, values, reason,
mind, and language.
(Source: Wikipedia)
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6. Some Philosophical questions
• What is good?
• What is beauty?
• Do we have free will?
• Does the world around us exist?
• What is a person?
• What is truth?
• What is evil?
• What is the relationship between mind and body?
• What is science?
• Does God exist?
• What is philosophy?
• What is love?
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7. IMPORTANCE OF
PHILOSOPHY
• 1. The study of Philosophy enables
us to think carefully and clearly about
important issues.
• 2. In studying Philosophy, we learn to
take a step back from our everyday
thinking and to explore the deeper,
bigger question which underpin our
thought.
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8. • 3. The focus in the study of
Philosophy is to learn not to believe,
but how to think.
• 4. Studying philosophy sharpens your
analytical abilities, enabling you to
identify and evaluate the strengths
and weakness in any position.
• 5. It hones your ability to construct
and articulate cogent arguments of
your own.
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9. • 6. It prompts you to work across
disciplinary boundaries and to think
flexibility and creatively about
problems which do not present
immediate solutions
• 7.Because philosophy is activity as
much a body of knowledge, it also
develops your ability to think and
work independently.
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It is then the very nature of
philosophy that man searches
for the meaning of himself and
his world.
It can truly be said then that
philosophy was born the very
first time man started wondering
at what he saw around him.

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Etymology- or etymological definition of Philosophy
-derived for Greek words etimos and logos
Etimos-root, origin, cause, basis, history
Logos-study
Etymology-study of the history of the word
Philosophy comes from the Geek Words Philia and Sofia.
Sofia-wisdom
Philia-love, desire for, interest in
Philia and Sofia join by Pythagoras-600 B.C.
Episteme-means knowledge
Wisdom-defining deeply, wise, according to etymology
-is an awareness of something which is basic.
-knowledge of the basic principle.
Knowledge-is only a million formation
-simple data that comes from the outside that
pass to our senses.

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THUS:
1. Philosophy is the love of
wisdom
2. Philosophy attempts to answer
life's Big Questions
3. Philosophy is about Questions
4. Philosophers ask Questions
about what people Believe
5. Philosophy is about Examining
Ourselves & Our Beliefs

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Common meanings of
Philosophy
1. Science- it is called science
because the investigation is
systematic.
2. Natural Light reason - Philosophy investigates
things, not by using any other laboratory
instrument or investigate tools, neither on the
basis of natural revelation, otherwise it become
theology; instead the philosopher uses his natural
capacity to think or simply, human reason alone or
the so-called unaided reason.

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3. Study of all things
this sets the distinction between
philosophy from other science.

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16. Look Deeper
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What question
is this photo
asking?

17. Always question….
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What color would a Zebra
be if it lost all its stripes?

18. Can lined paper ever be called a blank
sheet?
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19. What are “Big questions”?
• In philosophy we need to differentiate
between a normal questions and a
Big question!?
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THERE ARE MANY QUESTIONS but
there are SOME BIG QUESTION
What
?
Why?
HOW

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What are the REASONS for a
particular belief?
Do you believe in GOD? WHY
•QUESTIONS OF BELIEF
Do you believe that MURDER
is WRONG? WHY?
Do you believe that
EUTHANASIA IS EVIL? WHY
•QUESTIONS OF VALUES?

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Have you ever looked in the
mirror and asked:
The
Unexamined
Life is not worth
living.”
(Socrates)
Who am I?
Why am I here?
What should I do with my

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Have you ever looked in the
mirror and asked: OR???

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IMMANUEL KANT, a German philosopher
summarized the foregoing questions into three
central questions in philosophy namely:
1. What can I know?
2. What should I do?
3. What may i hope for?

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Consequent questions
 Why is there something rather than nothing? Who
am I? Why am I?
 What is truth? What are the sources of knowledge?
Does meaning really have meaning? How do we
really know?
 Why should one exist and later on perish? What
happens after death?Is death evil or good?

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 Why do we experience love?
 Is man really free? Does man really know how it is
to be free? What does freedom give to a person?Is
freedom absolute?
 Is membership in a religion purely of faith? Does
reason have any room in religion?
 Does God really exist? How does the reality of evil
suite with the assertions of God’s existence and
power?

27. What’s your BIG question?
• On your paper write 5 questions that
you would like to know….
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