Mark Anthony D. Abenir, MCD Department of Social Sciences & Philosophy University of Santo Tomas
Shifting Period 1 st Topic Introduction to Philosophy Logic & Critical Thinking Fallacies of Reasoning Ideas & Terms Definition Coverage Western (Greek) & Eastern (Chinese & Indian) Philosophy Definition, Divisions of Logic, Forms of Mental Activity, Soundness & Validity of Argument Definition of Fallacy, Fallacies of Language, Psychological and Emotional Fallacies, Ad Hominem Fallacies, Other Fallacies Definition, Signs, Connotation & Denotation, Classification & Supposition of Terms Nominal, Real, & Other Types of Definition
Topic Outline 1. Definition of Philosophy 2. Branches of Philosophy 3. Some Special Questions under Western Philosophy 4. Chinese Philosophy 5. Indian Philosophy
DEFINITION OF PHILOSOPHY
Philosophy Etymology: philos means love and sophia means wisdom, thus, lover of wisdom entire human endeavour of seeking the truth. (Pythagoras, 580-500 BC) An examination of humankind's moral responsibilities and social obligations An unexamined life is a life worth not living. (Socrates, 470-390 BC). Science of all things by their ultimate causes as known in light of reason. (St. Thomas Aquinas, 1224-1275).
Science Philosophy in an Age of Science Is philosophy obsolete in the present scientific age? Gives us an accurate description of the way things behave. Gives us power which we can use constructively or destructively. Totally unable to give us any moral direction towards order of goods and hierarchy of ends. understanding of the ultimate realities that underlie phenomena which science studies. Cannot be applied to PhilosophyGives us profound the production of things or in the control of means (technical). Directs us to the ends we should seek. The more science we possess, the more we need philosophy, because the more power we have, the more we need direction.
Relation of Math to Philosophy Math Why does Math play an important role in Philosophy? Ideal preparation for philosophical thought because it draws the mind away from visible and tangible things to the consideration of purely abstract thoughts numbers, figures, proportions. Affords exact and certain knowledge, reached by rigorous reasoning, unaided by experiments. Provides an impressive example of deductive reasoning.
BRANCHES OF PHILOSOPHY
Does God Exist? The problem of Evil Being and beings Metaphysics Nature of KNOWLEDGE Theodicy Epistemology B E A U T Y & T A S T E Aesthetics Space, Time, and Universe Cosmology Philosophy Logic Ethics Correct Reasoning M O R A L I T Y
SPECIAL QUESTIONS IN WESTERN PHILOSOPHY
Philosophy begins not in certainty but in doubt, not in judgement but in questions.
Do All Questions Have Answers? 1. What is the opposite of a duck? 2. How much does Thursday weigh? 3. Do curious blue ideas sleep furiously? 4. What is the name of Snow White s father? 5. If you could travel back in time 100 years, where would you live? 6. Have you stopped beating your pet? 7. What is truth? Is it subjective and relative or objective and absolute?
Category Mistake An error of logic where concepts belonging to different categories are inappropriately related. 1. What is the opposite of a duck? A duck is not the kind of thing that can have an opposite. 2. How much does Thursday weigh? The concept of Thursday do not have weights. 3. Do curious blue ideas sleep furiously? Ideas are not in the category of things that can have color or be asleep. Questions that involve a category mistake cannot have an answer.
Counterfactual Conditions These are what if questions that help us think about what the world would be like if certain things turned out to be true. 1. What is the name of Snow White s father? If Snow White s father were in the fairly tale, then presumably he would have a name. 2. If you could travel back in time 100 years, where would you live? If you did travel back in time, you would have to live somewhere. Counterfactual Conditions have answers, but there s no one right answer. However, they have a crucial role in problem solving.
False Presupposition Assuming something that is not true 1. Have you stopped beating your pet? If you answered Yes, then you are admitting you used to beat your pet. If you answered No, then you imply that you are still beating your pet. The correct response is that you do not have a pet, but if you do (given that you do not actually beat your pet), point out that the person is making a false presupposition. Give examples of advertisements that make a false presupposition.
Defining truth is easy; knowing whether a particular statement is true is much harder; and pursuing the truth is most difficult of all.
Truth and Subjectivity Comment on: One opinion is as good as the next, or that what is true is what you think is true. Response: If this is true, then there isn t much point in thinking critically about any opinion, since it already is as good as any alternative. No need to go to school either since your opinion is already as good as Einstein s. Opinion defined: expresses possibilities & not certainties, and are subject to doubt. In here, the objects of our thought leaves us free to make up our mind. If somebody tells you sandpaper is slippery, you ll conclude one or more of the following: 1. He/she doesn t know what sandpaper is. 2. He/she doesn t know what slippery means. 3. He/she is using some kind of oddball metaphor. 4. He/she is drunk or on drugs.
Truth and Relativity Comment on: One culture s opinion is as good as the next, and that a culture s thinking a claim is true makes it true in that culture. Example: Well, I think it is wrong to force women to wear veils and not allow them to go to school, but other societies don t, and since they are entitled to practice their culture as much as we are, it is not wrong to force women to wear veils and not allow them to go to school in those societies. Response: 1. Cross-cultural clashes of values are undeniable, and it can seem rude to tell another society its standards are wrong. 2. However, being rude is not the same as being illogical. If you think something is wrong, then you cannot also say it isn t wrong in some parts of the world.
Truth and Objectivity The objectivity of Truth relies in the understanding of the difference among what is real, correct, and true. Real Correct True Verifiable as actual fact (actual existence of something) In accordance to certain rules and principles. Self-evident Agreement between the mind and facts What is, is and what is not, is not. Rational quality of argument in favor of a certain theory.
Truth and the Absolute Comment on: Truth is only relative. There is no absolute truth. Response: The claim is in itself a contradiction; thus, it defeats its own purpose. Knowledge Wisdom Explicit information of facts, ideas, truths, or principles. The object we are thinking about compels us to think of it in a certain way. Ability to make sensible decisions based on knowledge and experience. Ultimate aim of learning done through a lifetime of thoughtful inquiry and wide experience.
Reminders! 1. Absolute truth would require that a certain assertion should be shown to agree with all experience and to an all-embracing and self-consistent philosophy or theory of the universe; but as no one yet has been able to frame such a philosophy, we must at present put up with something less than absolute truth. 2. If our aim be general truth for its own sake, a systematic investigation is necessary; but if our object be merely to remove some occasional doubt that has occurred to ourselves or to others, it may be enough to appeal to any evidence that is admitted or not questioned.
The only things we need to be a philosopher are the mind that God gave us and the desire to know the ultimate truth.
CHINESE PHILOSOPHY
Classical Chinese Philosophy Lao Tzu Confucius
INDIAN PHILOSOPHY
Indian Thought Systems Pūrva-mīmāṃsā (Realism) Nyāya (logic) Vaiśeṣika (Atomism) Vedānta (theodicy) Advaita (monist) & Vedanta (dualist) Sāṃkhya (analysis of nature) Yoga Astika (orthodox) Buddhism (U,T,S,A,L,M,SA,C) Jainism Charvaka (materialism) Nastika (unorthodox)