Introduction to philosophy

[evenlift]

What is philosophy?

Philosophy is the study of the fundamental nature of existence. It is the base on which all the special sciences (such as physics, biology, and economics) depend. Philosophy, therefore, is itself a science. It is not an arbiter between fact and faith, as it is widely presented today.

The five branches of philosophy

Metaphysics is the study of the nature of the universe as a whole. ‘Meta’ is Ancient Greek for ‘beyond’. Is there an objective reality? Are there laws of nature? Metaphysics answers these questions. Only then, can physics detail what that objective reality is and what those laws are. (Note: that was not how the word 'metaphysics' was coined, though it is an easy way to remember what the word actually means.)

Epistemology is the study of knowledge. What is true? What is untrue? How do we know what we know? Can we know anything?

Ethics is the study of good and evil. How do we distinguish the good from the evil? What is the standard of the good? Is ethics grounded in the supernatural or in the natural, in opinion (whether your own, some dictator’s, Society’s, or God’s) or in fact?

Politics is the study of society and government. What is the role of government? What should the laws be? Why do we need any laws?

Aesthetics is the study of art. What is art? What art is good art, and what art is bad art? What is the purpose of art?

Left: Plato (pic: © Marie-Lan Nguyen / Wikimedia Commons -- Creative Commons Attribution 2.5 Generic)

Right: Aristotle (pic: public domain)

Western philosophy, arguably, stems from the dispute between these two men.

[AllThatSweetJazz]

I put a lot of though into everything except Epistemology. I think it's actually a little strange that I have no curiosity about that branch at all.

[ArcticRussianFoxes]

I knew you were somewhat smart but damn. You be spicy.

[evenlift]

Aww, thanks!

[ArcticRussianFoxes]

No, thank you, for being spicy bro

[Nostalgiasteve]

Having taken a few years of philosophy college courses, I tend to understand political science as completely separate from philosophy. They have some overlap but it seems rather arbitrary to categorize poly sci as a subset of philosophy instead of just a separate field. Where did you get these 5 categories from?

Also (not to be rude but,) it seems arbitrary to define philosophy as the 'study of the fundamental nature of existence,' where did you get that definition from?

[molan]

I’ll argue philosophers dose’t not study the fundamentals of nature on which all the sciences are based.

If I am wrong, then can you give me just one example within the branch of physics?

[evenlift]

Well, for example, the question "Can I know anything?" (a question of epistemology) precedes the question "What do I know about atoms?", and the question "Does anything really exist?" (a question of metaphysics) precedes the question "Do noble gases exist?"

If, as a physicist, you don't know the answers to these preceding questions, everything you say about physics will be open to charges such as "That's just your opinion" and "There's no objective reality. There's just my reality and your reality".

[molan]

You must be kidding me, every curious human is saying that and is still is not classified as a philosopher.

Asking a question does not qualify as a "study of the fundamentals". Study means a detailed investigation and analysis of a subject or situation. Simply stating "What do I know about atoms" doesn't qualify as a study of atoms.

[evenlift]

Did I say studying atoms consists merely of asking the question, "What do I know about atoms?"? Of course, studying atoms indeed requires a lot of research! I didn't say otherwise. I'm simply providing an overview. Or, to put it another way, "What do I know about atoms?" is a question of physics. But, it is preceded by the question, "How can I know anything?", which is a question of philosophy. I didn't say that anyone who simply asks the former question is a physicist, or that anyone who simply asks the latter question is a philosopher of any kind. But, it doesn't change the fact that the former is a question of physics, and the latter is a question of philosophy on the resolution of which physics depends.

[molan]

Right, in the antiquity philosophy was originally the term for science in the broad sense, however today and indeed since Aristotle the word is more synonym with the art of living, based insight that could lead to mastery of passion and a happy life.

There is no fixed definition of philosophy. Even amongst philosophers there is a degree of disagreement on what the definition is.

Philosophy can be considered a mental activity consisting of rational studies of general issues, which include the ability to distinguish, identify and evaluate.

But it doesn't study the fundamentals others sciences are base on.

In England there were a number of philosophers who developed important political philosophies, such as Edmund Burke the founder of conservatism and Adam Smith the founder of liberalism. So I am not neglecting the importance of philosophy, only questions the definition used here and on wiki.

I say the definition is misleading at best.

[evenlift]

The political philosophies of Adam Smith and Edmund Burke? Right. But, I did indeed include politics as one of the branches of philosophy.

[molan]

Indeed I agree with the five branches of philosophy. I do question physics, biology, and economics though.

[evenlift]

But, I didn't say physics, biology and economics are branches of philosophy.

[molan]

Right, but physics, biology, and economics are not based on any of the five branches of philosophy.

[evenlift]

I've explained that already. Knowledge is preceded by the acceptance of the principle that knowledge is legitimate. If you don't deal with philosophy and go straight to physics for example, when you're explaining how atoms work, the person to whom you are explaining could simply reply, "There is no objective reality. There's just my reality and your reality. What's true for you isn't true for me", and you'd have no response to that.

[ccp16]

One of my undergraduate degrees was on in philosophy! Definitely an underrated skill! I basically am a pro at picking apart other peoples arguments and forming my own, while thinking abstractly.

[ccp16]

Either way, decent intro for sure!

[Kinstrome]

I like it, although it needs to be fleshed out a little more.

Also, Plato can suck it. I'm an Aristotelian man.

[LoloWaye]

I'm taking philosophy right now. Socrates was the man; he didn't take bs. The downside to the class: I find myself thinking deeply about everything now, and I have frequent headaches.

[YourFutureEx]

Thanks, very simple language easy to understand. Keep that good work.

[Chris011]

I am taking a philosophy class right now lol. It is pretty interesting.

[front2back]

I actually did a take on epistemology. I didn't know about metaphysics or aesthetics, though.

[Anonymous]

Hmm i didn't know western philosophy stemed from those 2 men

[Hajar_Whitestone]

I don't like philosophy..

[Jerusha]

*follows this and waits for the next take*

[Alphaslayer101]

Nice read. I'm taking philosophy next semester!

[JackKerouac77]

I love it! :) BASED DAWGGG

[Zorax]

Very intriguing, I always loved philosophy...

[T-shirtsandkneehighs]

Plato was one confusing man

[PhiOmega]

Rolling dirty with Socrates 4life

[Strippeddown]

nice to know:)

[SnowHearth]

Nice summary :)