Philosophy Review Notes
Philosophy Study Guide – Key Names/Concepts
Meaning of 6 Characteristics of Philosophy
- 1. Fundamental – Types of issues are general, E.G. Truth/Morality/Foundations of Knowledge/Existence of God
- 2. Critical – Raises questions, basic questions o Raises questions that answer with more questions o Socrates in the apology compares himself to a fly buzzing around a lethargic horse
- 3. Integrative – Philosophy is not destructive o Constructs theories of politics and Ethics – an array of Ideas o Attempts to build grand visions of human life
• Utopia
- 4. Argumentative – Rational Analysis – Does not collect data – creates data o Difference between Science/Philosophy – Cant answer conceptual questions
• EX. – What is the meaning of life?
- 5. Reflective – Seeks knowledge for its own sake not to do something or make something o Philosophy bakes no bread o This is the high ground reply – Seeks knowledge for its own sake o Middle ground reply – Reflection continuous with practice o Low ground reply – Life & Death of 1 and 2 – ideas about rights/values of others
- 6. Historical – History of philosophy is essential part of doing philosophy. o True for all Humanities
• Creates framework
Similarities/Difference between Philosophy and Theology
- Similarity – Both concerned with big fundamental questions o EG. – Existence of God, meaning of life
- Difference – Approach these questions from different perspectives: Reason and Revelation o Systematic Theology – parasitic with respect to philosophy. The reverse is not the case o Both philosophy and Theology are about grand systems of ideas; but theology is almost always bound up with religion: ways of living, practices
- In the East – Daoism – Both Philosophy/Theology same
- In the West – Different o Classics can be accepted/denied o Ancient Writing (sacred) (EG. The bible) (theology) – Only accepted
6 Sub-Disciplines of Philosophy
- 1. Epistemology – Theory of study of Knowledge
- 2. Metaphysics
Meaning of 6 Characteristics of Philosophy
- 1. Fundamental – Types of issues are general, E.G. Truth/Morality/Foundations of Knowledge/Existence of God
- 2. Critical – Raises questions, basic questions o Raises questions that answer with more questions o Socrates in the apology compares himself to a fly buzzing around a lethargic horse
- 3. Integrative – Philosophy is not destructive o Constructs theories of politics and Ethics – an array of Ideas o Attempts to build grand visions of human life
• Utopia
- 4. Argumentative – Rational Analysis – Does not collect data – creates data o Difference between Science/Philosophy – Cant answer conceptual questions
• EX. – What is the meaning of life?
- 5. Reflective – Seeks knowledge for its own sake not to do something or make something o Philosophy bakes no bread o This is the high ground reply – Seeks knowledge for its own sake o Middle ground reply – Reflection continuous with practice o Low ground reply – Life & Death of 1 and 2 – ideas about rights/values of others
- 6. Historical – History of philosophy is essential part of doing philosophy. o True for all Humanities
• Creates framework
Similarities/Difference between Philosophy and Theology
- Similarity – Both concerned with big fundamental questions o EG. – Existence of God, meaning of life
- Difference – Approach these questions from different perspectives: Reason and Revelation o Systematic Theology – parasitic with respect to philosophy. The reverse is not the case o Both philosophy and Theology are about grand systems of ideas; but theology is almost always bound up with religion: ways of living, practices
- In the East – Daoism – Both Philosophy/Theology same
- In the West – Different o Classics can be accepted/denied o Ancient Writing (sacred) (EG. The bible) (theology) – Only accepted
6 Sub-Disciplines of Philosophy
- 1. Epistemology – Theory of study of Knowledge
- 2. Metaphysics