Overview
This lecture introduces major branches of philosophy, outlining core questions and theories in epistemology, ethics, logic, metaphysics, aesthetics, existentialism, political philosophy, and the philosophy of religion.
Epistemology: The Study of Knowledge
- Epistemology examines how we know what we know and what justifies our beliefs.
- Distinguishes a priori knowledge (gained through deduction) from a posteriori knowledge (gained through observation).
- Main sources of knowledge: perception, memory, introspection, inference, and testimony.
- Explores how truth is derived from the world.
Ethics: Morality and Values
- Ethics is the study of morals, dividing into meta-ethics, normative ethics, and applied ethics.
- Meta-ethics explores what goodness is and the nature of right and wrong.
- Normative ethics asks what people ought to do, including obligations and moral rules.
- Three branches of normative ethics: virtue ethics (focus on character), deontology (focus on rules), and consequentialism (focus on outcomes).
- Utilitarianism is a form of consequentialism, seeking the greatest happiness for the greatest number.
Logic: Reasoning and Arguments
- Logic studies correct reasoning and the formation of good arguments.
- Formal logic examines the structure of arguments using symbols, like math.
- Informal logic focuses on the validity and soundness of arguments, including logical fallacies and types of reasoning (inductive and deductive).
Metaphysics: Reality and Existence
- Metaphysics explores the nature of reality, including concepts of free will, identity, time, space, souls, abstract entities, life, and death.
Aesthetics: Art and Beauty
- Aesthetics studies art, beauty, and artistic value, questioning what counts as art and whether judgments are objective or subjective.
- Considers if art must be made by humans or if natural phenomena and AI creations can be art.
- Examines the roles of artist intent versus audience interpretation in art meaning.
Existentialism: Meaning of Life
- Existentialism asks about the meaning of life, emphasizing that existence precedes essence and meaning is self-created.
- Absurdism notes the lack of inherent meaning and limited control over life.
- Bad faith means living inauthentically by conforming to societal norms; authenticity is living according to one's values.
Political Philosophy: Society and Governance
- Political philosophy studies how societies should be structured, covering government, laws, justice, authority, and rights.
- Explores sources of authority and legitimacy, and includes schools like liberalism, conservatism, anarchism, capitalism, socialism, and libertarianism.
Philosophy of Religion: Concepts and Arguments
- Philosophy of religion analyzes religious concepts, arguments, and assumptions outside specific faith traditions.
- Discusses polytheism (many gods), monotheism (one god), and atheism (no belief in gods).
- Explores interpretation of religious texts and questions about God's nature and free will.
- Distinguishes rational theism (belief based on evidence), non-rational theism (faith without evidence), and irrational theism (belief despite contrary evidence).
Key Terms & Definitions
- Epistemology — Study of knowledge and justification of beliefs.
- A priori knowledge — Knowledge gained through reasoning.
- A posteriori knowledge — Knowledge gained through experience.
- Ethics — Study of right and wrong, morals, and values.
- Virtue ethics — Ethics based on moral character.
- Deontology — Ethics based on rules or duties.
- Consequentialism — Ethics based on the outcomes of actions.
- Utilitarianism — Consequentialist theory seeking greatest happiness for most people.
- Logic — Study of correct reasoning and argument structure.
- Metaphysics — Investigation of reality and existence.
- Aesthetics — Philosophy concerned with art and beauty.
- Existentialism — Philosophy focusing on individual meaning and authenticity.
- Absurdism — Belief in inherent meaninglessness of life.
- Political philosophy — Study of government, societies, and justice.
- Philosophy of religion — Examination of religion’s concepts and arguments.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review definitions of main philosophical branches and theories.
- Prepare examples for each ethical theory (virtue ethics, deontology, consequentialism).
- Reflect on personal views regarding meaning, authenticity, and art.