Part I: Introduction Chapter 1: What is Philosophy?

Origin and History of Philosophy “Philean”= love + “Sophia”= wisdom “Philean”= love + “Sophia”= wisdom Literally “love of wisdom” Literally “love of wisdom” What is 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 Philosophy – Rational attempt to formulate, understand, and answer fundamental questions

Study of Philosophy Philosophy searches for knowledge through: Philosophy searches for knowledge through: –Questions –Search for fundamental and abstract truth

Branches of Western Philosophy Metaphysics – What is truly real? Metaphysics – What is truly real? Epistemology – What is knowledge and truth? Epistemology – What is knowledge and truth? Axiology – What is the distinction between value and fact? 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: 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 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? Zhuangzi – 350 BCE. What are the standards by which to settle an argument? Can they be universal?

What is fundamental? Two Perspectives: Two Perspectives: –Foundationalism –Constructivism

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

Constructivism Constructivism – the critique of foundationalism Constructivism – the critique of foundationalism Key Attributes 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 Acknowledge ethnocentrism – cultural and ethnic biases Deny ethnocentric imperialism – the idea that cultures will impose their views on others 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 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” Hans-Georg Gadamer: “fusion of horizons” –Truth is found through recognizing that one’s own understanding is a horizon resulting from perspective and biases 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 being willing to risk that horizon in order to see the other person’s

The Value of Philosophy Bertrand Russell 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 honored as wise Those who make philosophy a profession Those who make philosophy a profession

“Socrates Café” by Christopher Phillips Philosophical discussion can take place in the general public Philosophical discussion can take place in the general public Value questions more than answers Value questions more than answers Socratic method – the art of learning through asking questions Socratic method – the art of learning through asking questions Challenge to engage in philosophy Challenge to engage in philosophy

Reading Philosophy Read analytically Read analytically Read critically Read critically