Introduction to Philosophy “Philos” = Love “Sophia” = Wisdom “Philosophy” = Love of Wisdom

What is the difference between wisdom and knowledge?

A Formal Definition of Philosophy: The rational, critical investigation of the fundamental questions of life that resist solutions by empirical science

The Major Areas of Philosophy

Ultimate Nature of Reality Metaphysics The Study of the Ultimate Nature of Reality One or many parts Origin of the universe Origin and meaning of life

Epistemology The Study of Knowledge How do we know things? Experience (Empiricists) The Mind (Rationalists) What can we know?

Right or Correct Behavior Ethics The Study of Right or Correct Behavior “How should we live?” Truth Justice The Good

Right or Correct Thinking Logic The Study of Right or Correct Thinking Study arguments Reasoning Deductive Inductive Fallacies

The Philosophy of Religion The study of The Existence of God and its implications

Cosmological Argument Teleological Argument Ontological Argument Why is there evil?

The Philosophy of Religion The Study of World Religions Christianity Judaism Islam Hinduism

The Study of Beauty and Art Aesthetics The Study of Beauty and Art What is Beauty? How do you recognize it? What is Art? What is pornography?

Classical Art Raphael “School of Athens” 1511

Modern Art Mark Rothko “Orange and Yellow” 1956

Philosophy of Language Political Philosophy Philosophy of Language Philosophy of Mind Philosophy of Science

The Philosophy of __________ The study of the basic principles of that particular subject

Occam’ Razor Cut away everything that is not necessary The simpler the better

Greek Philosophy

4 Basic Periods 1. Pre-Socratics: 585-468 B.C. 2. Socrates: 469-399 B.C. 3. Plato: 429-347 B.C. 4. Aristotle: 384-322 B.C.

Why study dead philosophers?

Pre-Socratics Main Ideas The One and the Many Being and Becoming

From Myth to Philosophy Homer: 750 B.C. “Iliad “ “Odyssey” Hesiod: 700 B.C. “Theogony” Chaos = The Beginning = Void / Nothing

Thales of Miletus: 624-547 BC

Location Ionia coast (Asia Minor)

Thales Philosophy There must be an “arche” Unity Principle Source behind the plurality of things Some underlying substance that does not change as appearances change

The Four Basic Elements Thales was familiar with the four elements Air Fire Water Earth

He assumed that all things must ultimately be reduced to one of these But which one?

Thales Answer? Water!

We clear see water transformed the most Why Water? Of all the elements We clear see water transformed the most Liquid Gas Solid

1st Reductionist A method of explanation that seeks to reduce things to their most basic level

1st Empiricist Based upon Thales’ experience and observation he came to this conclusion

Pythagoras: 572-500 B.C.

Location Island of Samos - Ionia Coast

Pythagoras, depicted on a 3rd-century coin

Pythagoras The correct description of reality must be expressed in terms of mathematical formulas

The Pythagorean Theorem

Pythagoras Rationalist

Heraclitus: 540-475 B.C.

Ephesus

All things are constantly changing

Parmenides: 515-440 B.C.

Elea: Greek city on the South Western coast of Italy

Being There is no change Change is an illusion

Democritus: 460-370 B.C.

Abdera, north of Greece

These atoms exist in empty space and follow natural laws Atomic Theory Thought that the world was composed of atoms (atomon) which means “indivisible” These atoms exist in empty space and follow natural laws

Conclusion to Pre-Socratic Period By 370 B.C. Greek philosophy was heading toward Materialism and Determinism Having broken away from mythical and religious thought

Confusion?

The Sophists

The Greeks Socrates Plato Aristotle

Socrates (469-399 B.C.) First Moral Philosopher Never wrote anything Plato was his student Socrates is the main character of all his dialogues

The Apology The Trial of Socrates

Socrates (470-399 BC) Plato (427-347 BC) Aristotle (384-322 BC)

The Apology Meletus = Poets Anytus = Craftsmen / Politicians Lycon = Rhetoricians