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

3. What is the difference between wisdom and knowledge?

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

5. The Major Areas of Philosophy

6. 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

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

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

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

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

11. Cosmological Argument Teleological Argument
Ontological Argument
Why is there evil?

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

13. 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?

16. Classical Art
Raphael
“School of Athens”
1511

18. Modern Art
Mark Rothko
“Orange and Yellow”
1956

20. Philosophy of Language
Political Philosophy
Philosophy of Language
Philosophy of Mind
Philosophy of Science

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

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

23. Greek Philosophy

24. 4 Basic Periods 1. Pre-Socratics: 585-468 B.C.
2. Socrates: B.C.
3. Plato: B.C.
4. Aristotle: B.C.

25. Why study dead philosophers?

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

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

28. Thales of Miletus: BC

29. Location Ionia coast (Asia Minor)

30. 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

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

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

34. Thales Answer?
Water!

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

37. 1st Reductionist
A method of explanation that seeks to reduce things to their most basic level

38. 1st Empiricist
Based upon Thales’ experience and observation he came to this conclusion

39. Pythagoras: B.C.

40. Location Island of Samos - Ionia Coast

41. Pythagoras, depicted on a 3rd-century coin

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

43. The Pythagorean Theorem

44. Pythagoras
Rationalist

45. Heraclitus: B.C.

46. Ephesus

47. All things are constantly changing

48. Parmenides: B.C.

49. Elea: Greek city on the South Western coast of Italy

50. Being
There is no change
Change is an illusion

51. Democritus: B.C.

52. Abdera, north of Greece

53. 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

54. 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

55. Confusion?

56. The Sophists

57. The Greeks
Socrates
Plato
Aristotle

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

59. The Apology
The Trial of Socrates

61. Socrates ( BC)
Plato ( BC)
Aristotle ( BC)

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