DOC PREVIEW
LIBERTY PHIL 201 - What is Philosophy?

This preview shows page 1 out of 3 pages.

Save
View full document
View full document
Premium Document
Do you want full access? Go Premium and unlock all 3 pages.
Access to all documents
Download any document
Ad free experience
Premium Document
Do you want full access? Go Premium and unlock all 3 pages.
Access to all documents
Download any document
Ad free experience

Unformatted text preview:

PHIL 201STUDY GUIDE: LESSON 1What is Philosophy?Lesson OverviewWelcome to this introductory course in philosophy. For our first lesson, we are going to examine the question: What is philosophy? There are 4 ways you can get to know what a discipline is: define it, describe it, contrast and compare it with other disciplines, and finally experience it. In this first lesson, we will aim to accomplish the first 3 of these activities. The rest of the course will be an exercise in experiencing philosophy.TasksView and take notes of the presentation, “Misconceptions about Philosophy.”Misconception about Philosophy:-Have to be super intelligent.-It is just your opinion.-It is only about casting doubt or asking questions that have no answers.-It is unbiblical.-It is not practical.-It is dull. It is Boring.Read and take notes on Prelude to Philosophy, Chapter 1: “What is Philosophy?” As you read, make sure you understand the following points and questions:- List 4 reasons students often presuppose a low view of philosophy.1. Thinking that one must be “superintelligent” to do it. (academic elite) p.g. 162. Most students begin studying it late in school. p.g. 163. People do not think it is practile. p.g. 174. People do not know what it is or how it can benefit them.- Know Socrates’ quote: What is the unexamined life? What did he mean when he said it wasn’t worth living?-p.g. 19,21 Going through the motions of life without thinking about why or where you are going, or what you want.- Know the etymology of the word “philosophy.”-Greek phileo=Love/Affection + Sophos = wisdom- Know the working definition of “philosophy” and explain each of its elements.-Noun-a point of view on a topin= a set of beliefs on a topic and possible process for accomplishing it’s goal.-Verb/Activity – practice a particular kind of mental activity.- List and explain each of the 6 characteristics under the description of philosophy.1. The relationship between philosophy and facts. (what lies behind the facts, meaning, significance, and veracity) p.g. 29PHIL 2012. The importance of the method in philosophical investigation p.g.30 (method employed to arrive at a belief is important).3. One of the primary tasks of philosophy is clarification. p.g. 31 (clear thinking is important, eliminates ambiguity, and vagueness).4. Philosophy examines and evaluates everything. Nothing is taken for granted. p.g.33 (requires clarification and justification before accepting any belief as true).5. Philosophy isusually concerned with foundational issues that have been perennial through out the history of humankind. p.g.38 (reflecting on foundationally critical issues, not all solutions are of the same quality).6. Philosophy often appeals to a system of principles or guidelines regarded to be true. p.g.41 (inconsistency with a set of beliefs is a sign of falsehood, law of noncontradiction, and basic laws in science-laws of physics).- Contrast and compare philosophy with religion, science, and art. How are they different and how are they similar?Religion-Religion appeals to some authoritative revelation to discover truths about the “ultimate”, and is suspicious of books claiming to be authoritative. Philosophy is an exercise in critical reflection, and not blind acceptance of an authority claim.Science- Similar in the fact that they try to understand reality in a methodical fashion, derive criteria, hypotheses and theories applied to specific situations to discover truth about reality. Differ: science focuses on the reality of the senses (physical world), first-order questions, and scientific naturalism. Philosophy is second-order, and questions presuppositions. p.g. 44-45Art- Similar in both are used to express sophical ideas. Art usually conveys a particual philosophical view, philosophy seeks the rational justification of a view. Philosophy argues for a view and art expresses the view. Philosophy is concerned with content and art is concerned with structure. p.g.46-47- Explain the value of experiential knowledge in distinction to propositional knowledge.-Experiential knowledge enhances our understanind beyond what propositional knowledge can convey. Philosophy provides a formal means of structuring and reflecting on experiences. p.g. 48-49TermsMake sure you fully understand the following terms and concepts:- The unexamined life- going through themotions of life without thinking about why you do what you do, who you want to be, or what you want to do.p.g.19- The rational animal-refers to a classicaldefinition of humanity or human nature, associated with Aristotelianism.- Normative claim-claims about how things should or ought to be, how to value them, which things are good or - Presupposition- Beliefs people usually do not think about or try to prove (assumptions people hold about themselves and the world, without which they would not be able to arrive at any other knowledge. p.g.25- First-order discipline- a field that studies the reality directly.(ex.Biology)p.g.30s- Second-order discipline- a field that studies the methods andPHIL 201bad, and which actions are right or wrong. p.g.21-22- Wisdom- knowledge applied (in a way that benefits one’s life) p.g.23- Philosophy-love of wisdom p.g.23 The critical examination of our foundationalbeliefs concerning the nature of reality, knowledge and truth, and our moral andsocial values p.g.24- Critical examination-Anayzing beliefs. p.g.24 (clarification, justification, and evaluation).- Clarification-To determine what it means. p.g.24- Justification- Address the questions: Is this true? Are there good reasons to believe that it is true. p.g.24- Evaluation-Determines the value or significance of the idea. p.g.24- Foundational Beliefs- Beliefs that are central and fundamental to an overall worldview and yet are often not thought about. p.g.25presuppositions of first-order disciplines (not interested in the conclusions much as the means used to arrive at the conclusion and the presuppositions held with attempting toanswer the question) p.g.31- Ambiguous- there is more than one possible meaning. p.g.32- Vague-Meaning is not clear. Inability toidentify the parameters of a term. p.g.32- Worldview-A comprehensive system ofbeliefs that functions, first as an explanation and interpretation of the world and second, as an application of that system to the way people live and the values they hold. p.g.42- Scientism-view that says the only knowledge claims that can be true are


View Full Document

LIBERTY PHIL 201 - What is Philosophy?

Documents in this Course
Load more
Download What is Philosophy?
Our administrator received your request to download this document. We will send you the file to your email shortly.
Loading Unlocking...
Login

Join to view What is Philosophy? and access 3M+ class-specific study document.

or
We will never post anything without your permission.
Don't have an account?
Sign Up

Join to view What is Philosophy? 2 2 and access 3M+ class-specific study document.

or

By creating an account you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms Of Use

Already a member?