What is Philosophy

1
What is Philosophy?

• This module will give a very general definition
  of philosophy and provide some examples.

2
Philosophy (ordinary language)

• My philosophy about this is
• Im interested in the philosophy of or behind
• I dont agree with their philosophy.
• You have your philosophy, and I have mine.
• Hes a philosophical person.

3
Philosophy (general ideas)

• Philosophy is like theory
• Having a theory on something is like taking a
  step back and looking at the bigger picture
• Theory is different from practice theory is what
  you learn in school practice is what you do in
  the world.

4
Philosophy (etymology)

• The original Greek word, philosophia, means that
  which loves or pursues (philo) wisdom (sophia).

5
What is philosophy?

• Is it a subject? What does it study?
• Is it a science? What is its method?
• Is it an art? What does it create?
• Is it a practice? What does it do?
• Is it a kind of knowledge? Of what?
• Is it a state of mind?

6
Philosophy (definition)

• Philosophy is a discipline that seeks to
  understand the most fundamental things and the
  most general things.
• It investigates elements, causes, principles,
  and norms.
• It seeks to make connections and study the
  relationships between different subjects.

7
Some of the big questions

• Why is there something rather than nothing?
• Do human beings have a free will?
• Is the mind different than the body?
• What really exists in the universe?
• How do we acquire knowledge?
• What is truth?

8
Some areas of philosophy

• Aesthetics
• Ethics
• Social and political philosophy
• History of philosophy
• Philosophy of science
• Philosophy of law
• Philosophy of mind