Download Part 1: Introduction

Part I: Introduction
Chapter 1: What is Philosophy?
Origin and History of Philosophy
• “Philean”= love + “Sophia”= wisdom
• Literally “love of wisdom”
• What is wisdom?
– Knowledge about universe (Pythagoras)
– The possession of virtue and power (Sophists)
– Awareness of ignorance (Socrates)
Definition of Philosophy
• Philosophy – Rational attempt to
formulate, understand, and answer
fundamental questions
Study of Philosophy
• Philosophy searches for knowledge
through:
– Questions
– Search for fundamental and abstract truth
Branches of Western Philosophy
• Metaphysics – What is truly real?
• Epistemology – What is knowledge and
truth?
• Axiology – What is the distinction
between value and fact?
– Aesthetics – What is objective or subjective?
– Ethics – How is human action judged morally
right or wrong?
• If philosophy is the rational attempt to
formulate, understand, and answer fundamental
questions, then:
– What is rational?
– What is fundamental?
What is Rationality?
• Rationality – the way we think and
investigate questions
• Zhuangzi – 350 BCE. What are the
standards by which to settle an argument?
Can they be universal?
What is fundamental?
• Two Perspectives:
– Foundationalism
– Constructivism
Foundationalism
• Foundationalism – maintains that there
must be objective and universal standards
of rationality
• Law of noncontradiction – a statement
cannot be both true and false
Constructivism
• Constructivism – the critique of
•
foundationalism
Key Attributes
– Rationality is a social construction, therefore, it
cannot be achieved without prejudice or bias
– Cognitive relativism – denial of universal truth
– Ethical relativism – denial of universal moral
principles
Finding Common Ground between
foundationalists and constructivists
• Acknowledge ethnocentrism – cultural
and ethnic biases
• Deny ethnocentric imperialism – the
idea that cultures will impose their views
on others
Finding Common Ground between
foundationalists and constructivists
• Recognize difference between strong and
weak relativism
– Strong sense – claims there are no
universally valid standards
– Weak sense – claims that standards of
rationality and morality are culturally diverse
Finding Common Ground between
foundationalists and constructivists
• Hans-Georg Gadamer: “fusion of horizons”
– Truth is found through
• recognizing that one’s own understanding is a
horizon resulting from perspective and biases
• being willing to risk that horizon in order to see
the other person’s
The Value of Philosophy
• Bertrand Russell
– Enlargement of the Self
– Contemplation increases awareness
– Mind that studies the universe is great
because of the greatness of the universe
Who are the Philosophers?
• Those honored as wise
• Those who make philosophy a profession
“Socrates Café”
by Christopher Phillips
• Philosophical discussion can take place in
the general public
• Value questions more than answers
• Socratic method – the art of learning
through asking questions
• Challenge to engage in philosophy
Reading Philosophy
• Read analytically
• Read critically