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Making Sense of Philosophy
How to Understand & Conceptualize the Complicated Study of Human Thought Presented by Rev. Deric McCurry
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“Whatchu Know?!” Philosophy is complicated and confusing
Framework for better foundational understanding of philosophy Philosophy 101 in an hour Focus Points Overview of Philosophy Philosophy in Debate Logic Epistemology
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Overview of Philosophy
Logic Reasoning based on a strict set of validity principles Epistemology Theories of knowledge that seek truth & understanding Teleology Deontology Metaphysics Theories that deal with existence & principles of existence Axiology/Aesthetics Discussion of beauty
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Overview of Philosophy
Logic Reasoning based on a strict set of validity principles Epistemology Theories of knowledge that seek truth & understanding Teleology Deontology Metaphysics Theories that deal with existence & principles of existence Axiology/Aesthetics Discussion of beauty Logic Reasoning based on a strict set of validity principles Epistemology Theories of knowledge that seek truth & understanding Teleology Deontology Metaphysics Theories that deal with existence & principles of existence Axiology/Aesthetics Discussion of beauty
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Metaphysics & Aesthetics in Debate
Prominent Metaphysical Philosophies Baudrillard Symbolic exchange Heidegger If today was your last day Nietzsche Is existence better than nothing at all Use of Aesthetics in Debate Environmentalism Extinctionalism
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Logic in Debate Inductive Reasoning Deductive Reasoning
Conclusion follows with highest probability Deductive Reasoning Conclusion is necessitated Socratic Method Truth seeking through persistent questioning
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Logic in Debate Rationally Persuasive Argumentation Debate Real World
Claim Warrant Impact Real World Warranted Inference All true premises No independent line of argument against the conclusion Argument does not beg the question Burden of proof
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Logical Fallacies Red Herring Ad Hominem Slippery Slope
Attacking the debater not the argument Argument from omniscience/authority You/one person doesn’t know everything about anything Appeal to ignorance/force/pity Appealing to lack of evidence/knowledge or to power/feeling sorry for something as proof Argumentum ad populum/Bandwagon/tradition Just because something is popular/has always been done doesn’t make it right Post hoc, ergo propter hoc Correlation = causation Red Herring Changing subject Slippery Slope Domino-effect Straw man Mispresenting your opponent’s argument and refuting it Two wrongs make a right Justifying “wrong” actions based on precedent Is-Ought Just because something is some way does not mean it should be False Dichotomy Argument says there are only two options: A or B, when there are C, D, E…
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Epistemology – Teleology
Looking at the end result of an action to see if the results are good Aristotle Virtue Ethics Being virtuous Innately doing right Crossroads of bravery & wisdom Is this something everyone possesses? Utilitarian Theories Calculus of utility Many people equate greatest good for greatest number (WRONG!) Maximizing utility The metric (well-being/prevention of harm) determines the utility
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Epistemology – Teleology
Social Contract Theories Infinite number of them US Constitution Locke State of nature is good but is made better through order Hobbes State of nature is evil and requires order Rousseau Man is free but everywhere is in chains How to structure society in the world we live in Pragmatism Most practical solution to situation, doesn’t intend to make everything better/happy just closure
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Epistemology – Teleology
Marxism Material conflict Proletariat and Bourgeoise Conflict between the forces of production and means of production Solution Common ownership of production/consumerism Creation of classless society “From each according to his ability, to each according to his needs” Libertarianism Laissez-faire Cosmopolitanism Globalization
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Epistemology – Teleology
Egalitarianism Equality/Equity Relativism Knowledge is situational (culture) Intercultural communication Some would argue this is wisdom
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Epistemology – Deontology
Doing the right thing in every situation regardless of the outcome Altruism Doing the right thing because you have a second order desire to do so Conception of morality Desire Harry Frankfurt Benevolence/Beneficence Doing the right action because you have a first order desire to do so
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Epistemology – Deontology
Immanuel Kant & Kantian Ethics Categorical Imperative First Formulation “Act only according to that maxim whereby you can at the same time will that it should become a universal law without contradiction.” You believe in and uphold your morals with consistent action Golden rule Maxim – absolute truth Second Formulation “Act in such a way that you treat humanity, whether in your own person or in the person of any other, never merely as a means to an end, but always at the same time as an end.” Treating people humanely as you strive for an end is an end in itself Third Formulation “Therefore, every rational being must so act as if he were through his maxim always a legislating member in the universal ‘kingdom of ends.’” Never forget that you have a continuing responsibility based on your morals Treat everyone as you would treat yourself based on the Categorical Imperative
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Epistemology - Politics
Liberalism (not Democratic Liberal) Rejection of power politics/Emphasis on diplomacy Quid pro quo International/interorganizational cooperation and governing bodies I.e. favors the UN Realism States/government entities rational but self-interested actors International politics is anarchic International/interorganizational cooperation occurs to assure mutual self-interest Ensure self-preservation Machiavellianism
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Rawls & Nozick – Socioeconomic Justice
John Rawls Robert Nozick Justice as fairness Veil of Ignorance Maximize position Liberty Principle Everyone Guaranteed Same Liberties Difference Principle Differences benefit least advantaged Redistribution of wealth Fair equality of opportunity Minimal State State exists merely for safety Anarcho-capitalism Entitlement Theory Principle of justice in acquisition Historical approach Principle of justice in transfer Principle of rectification of injustice
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Conclusion Four Branches of Philosophy Logic & Epistemology in Debate
Metaphysics Aesthetics Logic & Epistemology in Debate Discussion/Questions
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