Philosophy Terms

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The theory or study of knowledge. It asks: How do we know what we know, and can we know anything at all?

The problem of how people attain knowledge, how we attain that knowledge and if that knowledge can be trusted in the first place.

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epistemology

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The study of reality, being, and existence. The branch of philosophy most interested in the question of reality and existence. It asks questions like the following:What things are real?Is there a reality outside of the world that we already experience?Is there a God?

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Metaphysics

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Similar to axiology (actually a branch of it), this is the study of values and morality, particularly of how humans should behave based upon these depates. It asks questions like: Are there universal values, and who decides what those values should be?

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Ethics

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how people define what is moral and what is not.

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Personal Ethics

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A device used in philosophy that refers to both an area of philosophical inquiry and a tool used to pursue knowledge, identify valid and invalid arguments, and come to reasonable conclusions.

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Logic

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Greek word which means love of

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philein

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Greek word which means wisdom or knowledge

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sophia

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Two Greek words that make up the word Philosophy

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philein and sophia

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the love of wisdom or knowledge; a kind of grandfather of all the academic disciplines, with interests that range far and wide.

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Philosophy

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who wrote Metaphysics

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Aristotle

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the study of value. It can be divided into several different fields, one of which is ethics. Ethics looks at what is right and wrong, moral character, and virtue.

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Axiology

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Deals with artistic value or the value of self-expression (part of axiology)

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Aesthetics

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Teaches you to use your mind to think analytically, to repudiate arguments, and to present your thoughts effectively and clearly.

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The process of philosophy

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define their problem, the circumstances surrounding it, and the set of tools they have to address that problem. These tools include logic, argument, the Socratic method, and the ability to spot fallacies in other people’s arguments.

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Philosophers

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entails outlining your propositions and conclusions clearly while offering solid evidence or reasons to support them. Furthermore, _____are not just personal opinions. Also depends upon presentation and speaking style, which is known as rhetoric.

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Argument

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who lived in Athens from 470 B.C. to 399 B.C., and believed that knowledge could be attained through the use of question-and-answer sessions?

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Socrates

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The practice of gaining knowledge through the use of question-and-answer sessions, demanding that reasoning be explained at every turn. Definitions must constantly be sharpened and tightened to make them more intellectually solid. Acknowledge that the basis of true knowledge is in admitting that we know nothing.

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The Socratic Method

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One fallacy is called begging the question or ______. This fallacy finds a conclusion based upon an assumption that is basically the same thing as the conclusion. To say that Tiger Woods is the best golfer because no one is better is an example of begging the question.

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circular reasoning

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Another fallacy is called the _____ fallacy. This fallacy basically assumes that answers to questions must be one conclusion or its total opposite. One example is an argument like this: If you don't profess to believe in God, you are an atheist. That is not necessarily true, of course, because one can be an agnostic and believe that the truth of God's existence is ultimately unknowable.

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black or white

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when someone tries to distract from the main point in an argument and avoid attacking the actual argument itself.

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red herring

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repudiate philosophical arguments based on the personal character or credentials of the person making the argument

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Argumentum ad hominem

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misrepresent the views of another philosopher

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Setting up a straw man

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Conclusions based upon false, inaccurate, or intentionally deceitful premises.

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Fallacies