Some Popular Conceptions of Philosophy1. The art of taking things philosophically; i.e. to take life's hard knocks with a positive, or thoughtful, attitude.
- For example, "after a bit of depression, Bush has become philosophical about his loss of the Presidency".
2. Grand, general principles used to guide us in various practical activities such as gardening, playing football, investing our money, teaching, etc.; e.g.:
- The best defense is a good offense
- "My defensive philosophy is hit 'em hard"
- "My philosophy of life is, blend in".
- Buy low, sell high.
- Never give a sucker an even break.
- It is part of my philosophy of teaching that students should know what to expect and what I expect of them".
3. A sort of mystical, occult, "offbeat" wisdom.
Some Philosophical Conceptions of Philosophy
1. The etymological conception -- philosophy is the love of wisdom.
Philos -- friend, lover
Sophia -- wisdom, knowledge1a. Philosophy is the love of wisdom for its own sake.
1c. Philosophy is the love or at least pursuit of philosophical wisdom.
2. Christian's 1st conception -- philosophy is the art of wondering. (Christian, "What do you mean philosophy?", pp. IX-XII.)
Dwayne is currently unemployed. He sits on his front porch and watches the cars go by. As each car goes by, Dwayne wonders where it came from; he wonders where it is going; he wonders who is at the wheel. Indeed, no matter what happens, Dwayne is filled with wonderment. So far as I can tell, he is the greatest artist in wondering. However, Dwayne is no philosopher. He never read a philosophy book; he's not a member of the American Philosophical Association; he never even thinks about philosophical questions.3. Christian's 2nd conception -- philosophy is a method.
A person is a philosopher if and only if she (1). knows how to ask questions, (2). knows how to relate materials, (3) knows where to go for up to date information, (4) knows how to double-check fact claims, and (5) knows how to reject fallacious fact claims.4. Christian's 3rd conception -- "synoptic philosophy"
"Synoptic philosophy is an attempt to weave interconnecting lines of illumination between all the disparate realms of human thought in the hope that, like a thousand dawnings, new insights will burst through."5. Philosophy is an academic discipline identified by its sub-fields. Some branches of Philosophy:
- Metaphysics
- Epistemology
- Ethics
- Aesthetics
- Philosophical Anthropology
- Philosophical Theology
(Philosophy of God and Religion)- History of Philosophy
- Philosophy of law
- Philosophy of language
- Philosophy of mathematics, etc.
- Philosophy of science
SCIENCE AND PHILOSOPHYGeographical Points
- The area of Texas is 267,338 square miles.
- The population of Texas is 18, 378, 000 people.
- The area of Germany is 137.838 square miles.
- The population of Germany is 78, 350, 000 people.
- The area of Poland is 120,727 square miles.
- The population of Poland is 38, 300, 000 people.
An Astronomical Point
- There are black holes in the Universe.
Some Examples of Historical Points
- Alvar Nunez Cabeza de Vaca was first to land on the Texas coast in 1528.
- Texas joined the United States in 1845.
Some Examples of Philosophical Arguments
The Argument from Evil
1. If God exists, then this world was created by an omnipotent, omniscient, and omnibenevolent (OO&O) being.
2. If this world was created by an OO&O being, then this world contains no evil. (there is nothing bad in this world).
3. This world contains some evil.
_________
4. Therefore, God does not exist. [from (1)-(3)]A Skeptical Argument
1. If someone knows something, then she has certainty about it.
2. No one is ever certain of anything.
________
3. Therefore, No one knows anything. [from (1) and (2)Argument from Choice (see Ree, p. 9)
1. Sometimes we do what we choose to do.
2. If sometimes we do what we choose to do, then sometimes we act freely.
______
3. Therefore, sometimes we act freely. [from (1) and (2)]