Philosophy Lecture Notes

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.