Contemporary Issues
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.
Popular posts from this blog
Signed portion of your course outline due on Tuesday!
Project 1 Life and Death Ethics Choices due Tuesday 9/19/17
Choose your topic by Tuesday and we will start working on the research. Think about whether you wish to do a paper or other form of expression. Here is my annotated list - if you think of another topic not on this list email me your idea. Bioethical Issues with Annotation Abortion The termination of pregnancy. Positions on this topic often need to clearly define when life begins: at conception, when a heartbeat is present, after second trimester, etc. Abortion is a complicated topic because both sides of the argument have valid points. Those in favor of abortion say that mothers have a right to choose since it’s their body in question and that they have a right to reproductive health. However, those against abortion say that abortion is murder, because the developing fetus is alive and has the right to live. In some places, abortion is decided upon when the parents don’t approve of the fetus’s gender (most commonly, parents don’t want a daughter). ...
Comments
Post a Comment