Download tmp_30204-philosophy_1646029782_1

NAME: UBA KOSISOCHUKWU
DEPARTMENT: LAW
COURSE: GST 113
LEVEL: 100
Philosophy is the study of general and fundamental problems concerning matters such as knowledge ,
existence, values ,reasons , mind and language . Philosophy enables one to understand how discipline
has evolved over time .The Milesian philosophers which consists of Thales , Anaximander, Anaximenes.
They gave generated ideas that were meant to help people understand their environment by giving
natural explanations to the phenomena prior to the unnatural ones given by the first set of
philosophers. These three philosophers answers they gave in their attempt to account for change were
based on the following. For Thales it is water ,for Anaximander it is Apeiron (infinite), for Anaximenes it
is air.
Philosophy begins in ‘wonder’ it started off to explain the things that were puzzling in
nature. The attempt to give rational explanations to the various wonders have led to the generation of
various philosophies across various climates and times. Philosophers believe that theory has influence
on practice, philosophy matters because it can provide some guides to life which are capable of making
human existence less tolerable. The only authority respected in discipline is that of reason. Reason is
relied on for coping in the world because even though we know much about the world there is still more
yet to be unknown. Culture, religion, ideology and other things interfere with how we perceive reality.
Therefore philosophy is a discipline that involve the construction and assessment of
arguments. Philosophers create arguments ,then it is accessed by other philosophers whom may reject
it, accept it or reframe it .Philosophy is enriched by controversies because they encourage high quality
debate, leaving only the best ideas to survive. Philosophy is essentially a reflective discipline in which
problems are engaged through critical reflection. Milesian philosophers approached their subject in a
reflective way not being dependent on science unlike today’s world.
Branches of philosophy are divided into two broad categories
Cardinal branches of philosophy




Metaphysics
Epistemology
Ethics
Logic
Second order discipline





Philosophy of science
Philosophy of education
Philosophy of law
Philosophy of social science
Philosophy of history among others
CARDINAL BRANCHES OF PHILOSOPHY
 METAPHYSICS
This deals with the study of reality and most basic issues regarding reality.
o
o
Cosmology is a sub branch in metaphysics it deals with the study of origin and structure of the
universe
Ontology another sub branch in metaphysics deals with the nature of existence.
Metaphysics studies the basic concept of the world with the aim of discovering the ultimate nature of
reality.
 EPISTEMOLOGY
This branch subjects to rigorous analysis issues and problems relating to the origin ,nature ,justification
and limit of the human knowledge. Five problems tackled in epistemology as a cardinal branch of
philosophy.
1. ANALYTIC PROBLEM; this tries to clarify what knowledge is and the distinction between
knowledge and belief.
2. DEMARCATION PROBLEM; This divided into two
 The first division is the external problem which attempts to determine the scope and
limits of the human knowledge.
 The second division addresses internal problems and considers whether there are
important boundaries within the province of knowledge itself.
3. PROBLEM OF METHOD; This deals with how knowledge is obtained and is sub divided into three
problems.
 Problem of unity ; Deals with whether there is just one way of acquiring knowledge
or whether there are several depending on nature
 Ameliorative problem; Considers the possibility of knowing if our means of
acquiring knowledge can be improved
 Problem of reason or rationality ;This is aimed at whether the concept of inquiry
are distinctively rational ,and if so, what are they.
4. Problem of scepticism ; This addresses itself on whether it is possible acquire knowledge at all.
5. Problem of value; This considers whether knowledge is worth having .
 ETHICS
This deal with the moral rules that guide social interactions among humans as well as their interactions
among other living and non living things .Human beings are considered rational .The field of ethics is
studied under three main branches.


METAETHICS deals with issue involving the origin of moral principle.
NORMATIVE ETHICS is involved with developing theories that can be appealed as a guide to
people when making moral decisions .Theories under normative ethics ;
Consequentialist ethical theories depend on moral action to determine whether they are right
or wrong .Ethical theories subsumed under this category are; ethical egoism , ethical hedonism
,ethical altruism and utilitarianism on the other hand Deontological ethical theories this simply
says one should consider the nature of the action before considering appropriate set of rules
to be applied.
 APPLIED ETHICS attempts to apply to ethical theories to actual situations in life like
suicide , abortion etc. Under applied ethics are fields like environmental ethics , business
ethics , bioethics , and professional ethics.
 LOGIC
This deals with the inculcation of skills that are crucial for the construction of good arguments and for
the evaluation of arguments by others. The aim of logic is to furnish the philosopher with rules that aid
in reasoning process.
PHILOSOPHY AS A SECOND ORDER OF DISCIPLINE
This examines salient issues in other fields like Law, Social Science , Education and so on. The
methodology of a particular discipline may be subjected to critical evaluation in other to determine its
adequacy for treatment of subject matter of the discipline.