Philosophy Lecture Notes

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Philosophy Lecture Notes


Philosophy is . . .


Greek for “the love of wisdom.”

The attempt to think rationally and critically about the most important questions.

Uses reason, criticism, examination, and analysis.

Socrates said, “the unexamined life is not worth living.”


Areas of Philosophy


Metaphysics:  the study of reality.

Epistemology:  the study of knowledge.

Axiology:  the study of value.

Ethics:  the study of right and wrong.

Aesthetics:  the study of beauty and art.

Logic:  the principles of right reasoning.


Major Theories


Idealism

Realism

Neoscholasticism

Pragmatism

Existentialism

Postmodernism


Idealism


Metaphysics:  Reality is absolute in ideal forms in the mind.

Epistemology:  Truth is absolute and can be known in the mind.

Axiology:  Values are absolute.

Philosopher:  Plato


Realism


Metaphysics:  Reality is matter that exists apart from the mind.

Epistemology:  Truth is absolute and can be observed.

Axiology:  Values are absolute and are understood as one observes natural law.

Philosopher:  Aristotle


Neoscholasticism


Metaphysics:  Reality is in natural and supernatural realms.

Epistemology:  Truth is absolute and can be determined through reason and revelation.

Axiology:  Values are absolute and can be determined rationally and acted on through will power.

Philosopher:  St. Thomas Aquinas


Pragmatism


Metaphysics:  Absolutes cannot be known.

Epistemology:  Truth is whatever works.

Axiology:  Values are socially constructed.


Existentialism


Metaphysics:  Existence over essence.  The individual is reality.

Epistemology:  Truth is your choice.

Axiology:  Values are your choice.

Philosopher:  Kierkegaard


Postmodernism


Metaphysics:  No way of knowing if there are absolutes.

Epistemology:  Truth is constructed by the individual.

Axiology:  Deconstruct meta-narratives to identify power and then construct social equality.



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