What is Philosophy?

Introduction

• First lecture of the course & an introductory explanation for parents.
• Addressing common concerns about majoring in philosophy.
• Aim: Explain what philosophy is as an academic subject.

Defining Philosophy

Etymology

• Greek origin: philia (love) and sofia (wisdom) = "love of wisdom".
• This traditional definition is not particularly useful for understanding modern academic philosophy.

Common Misconceptions

• Disregard societal and casual uses of the term.
• Focus on philosophy as practiced in academia.

Core Philosophical Questions

• Does God exist?
• Do I have free will? What is free will?
• Which actions are morally good or bad?
• What is the fair way to arrange society?
• Does my mind continue to exist after my bodily death?

Comparison to Other Groups

Children

• Naturally question philosophical topics but often stop pondering due to life's distractions.

Stoners

• Discuss philosophical questions in a casual manner unlike the rigorous approach of philosophers.

Religious Leaders

• Religious thought partly relies on revelation.
• Philosophers seek answers through rational thought, independent of revelations.
• Religion may restrict certain conclusions, unlike philosophy.

Nature of Philosophical Questions

Common Misconceptions

• Subjectivity: Philosophical questions are not subjective (e.g., does God exist? concerns an objective reality).

Empirical vs. Non-Empirical Questions

• Empirical: Answered through observation or experimentation (e.g., do chickens lay eggs?).
• Non-Empirical: Answered through reasoning and proofs (e.g., mathematical truths about prime numbers).
• Philosophical: Cannot be resolved by empirical methods or simple calculations.

Practical Example

• Question: What is the fair way to arrange society?
  • Cannot be answered empirically or mathematically.
  • Requires arguments and rational thought.

Objections to Philosophy

Anything Goes

• Objection: Without empirical or mathematical proof, any answer is valid.
• Rebuttal: Some arguments are better than others based on their logical structure and clarity.

Philosophy is Unproductive

• Objection: Philosophy does not produce tangible results.
• Rebuttal: Produces clear, rational arguments on important questions.
• Example: Does my mind continue to exist after bodily death?

Value Question

• Whether philosophy is worth doing is itself a philosophical question.

Consequences of Philosophical Method

Controversy

• Philosophical answers are often controversial due to the fewer tools available for clear resolution.

Difficulty

• Philosophy is challenging due to its reliance on rational thought and argumentation without empirical tools.
• Philosophers gain excellent skills in argumentation and reasoning which are applicable to other fields.

Philosophy and Standardized Tests

• Philosophy majors perform well on GMAT, LSAT, and GRE, indicating benefits of philosophical training.

Financial Returns

• Philosophy majors have high mid-career salaries compared to other non-STEM fields.

Philosophical Decision-Making

• Decision of whether to study philosophy involves philosophical reasoning about what considerations (e.g., income) are important.

Conclusion

• Philosophy is crucial for addressing profound questions through rational thought and rigorous argument.
• Valuable not only for its direct outcomes but also for the skills it cultivates.