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Part I: 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).

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Part I: Introduction

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  1. Part I: Introduction Chapter 1: What is Philosophy?

  2. 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)

  3. Definition of Philosophy • Philosophy – Rational attempt to formulate, understand, and answer fundamental questions

  4. Study of Philosophy • Philosophy searches for knowledge through: • Questions • Search for fundamental and abstract truth

  5. 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?

  6. If philosophy is the rational attempt to formulate, understand, and answer fundamental questions, then: • What is rational? • What is fundamental?

  7. 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?

  8. What is fundamental? • Two Perspectives: • Foundationalism • Constructivism

  9. Foundationalism • Foundationalism –maintains that there must be objective and universal standards of rationality • Law of noncontradiction – a statement cannot be both true and false

  10. 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

  11. 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

  12. 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

  13. 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

  14. 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

  15. Who are the Philosophers? • Those honored as wise • Those who make philosophy a profession

  16. “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

  17. Reading Philosophy • Read analytically • Read critically

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