Philosophy Transition Year 2013-2014

What is Philosophy? Philosophy comes from the Greek word ‘Philosophia’ – meaning ‘love of wisdom’ – therefore, it is the study of knowledge and wisdom itself Humans have always wondered about the nature of our universe and our place within it - all philosophy begins in wonder Philosophy aims to make clear the nature of the universe and the nature and meaning of our lives

What is Philosophy? Philosophy can be broken up into the following areas: METAPHYSICS (the study of being and the universe) LOGIC (the study of reasoning) ETHICS (the study of moral behaviour) ANTHROPOLOGY (the study of human nature) EPISTEMOLOGY (the study of knowledge) SOCIAL & POLITICAL PHILOSOPHY (the study of liberty, justice, rights and the law) PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGION (the study of the nature of religion) AESTHETICS (the study of the nature of art and beauty)

Origins of Philosophy Philosophy has its origins in Greece, in the fifth & sixth centuries BCE

Origins of Philosophy Humans began to ask deeper questions about the meaning of life Thinkers like Thales, Heraclitus and Anaximenes began to reflect on our existence These men became known as the ‘natural’ philosophers or ‘pre-Socratic’ philosophers

Origins of Philosophy Thales believed everything came from water Heraclitus believed everything came from fire Anaximenes believed everything came from air

Why study Philosophy? As a teenager, you are, by nature, a natural philosopher. During adolescence, you open your minds up to many larger questions – philosophy will aid you in this You are forced to face the hypocrisy within society and face many difficult moral dilemmas Philosophy questions the opinions that you are exposed to on a daily basis, from family, friends, teachers, society and the media You are essentially concerned with the development of your own identity – this is central to philosophy

Why study Philosophy? Philosophical thinking is good for you. Some people like it and some people do not, but everyone should learn how to do it, because it helps you figure out what life is all about The goal of studying philosophy is not to identify final answers that everyone should accept, but to explore different answers Try to take a critical attitude towards all philosophical positions/claims – QUESTION EVERYTHING

Why study Philosophy? All human beings – consciously or unconsciously – philosophise or have a philosophy of life Philosophy helps to develop one’s critical thinking skills, which employers look for when seeking new employees ***** Philosophy is central to all subjects in the Humanities . . .

History PHILOSOPHY Theology Maths & the Sciences Literature & the Arts

Course Content Ancient and Medieval philosophers SOCRATES PLATO ST. AUGUSTINE

Course Content The Enlightenment thinkers DESCARTES LOCKE HEGEL ROUSSEAU

Course Content The Existentialist & Political thinkers KIERKEGAARD MARX NIETZSCHE CAMUS

Course Content Ethics: Ethical dilemmas - The Justification of Punishment, Freedom of Expression & Censorship MILL

Philosophy website There is a Philosophy website, which you can access via the school website: www.preswex.ie – click on ‘Department Sites’ and click on Philosophy Details of projects, presentations/videos shown in class will be posted on this website