Introduction to Philosophy: Key Concepts and History
What is Philosophy?
1. Mythical Tales
Myths are fantastical stories passed down through generations, offering meaning to life and answering profound questions. They feature gods, heroes, and supernatural beings.
2. Social Functions of Myths
Myths reflect the society that creates them, revealing its values and beliefs. Shared mythical stories unite a society.
3. Characteristics of Rational Discourse
Rational discourse prioritizes reason over faith, using structured arguments and evidence-based reasoning.
4. The Concept of Logos
Logos encompasses word, argument, and reason.
5. Cosmogony
Cosmogony explores the nature of reality, the origin of the universe, gods, humans, and the elements.
6. Philosophy as a Discipline
Philosophy emerged as a discipline to combat ignorance, opinion, and superstition.
7. General Features of Philosophical Discourse
Philosophical discourse involves second-order learning, inquisitive reasoning, constant criticism, and knowledge integration.
8. Knowledge, Opinion, and Belief
Knowledge is the information we possess that allows us to act appropriately. There are two types: disinterested knowledge (pursuit of truth) and practical knowledge (applied knowledge). Philosophy seeks knowledge, recognizing that complete knowledge is unattainable. Its adversaries are ignorance (lack of knowledge), opinion (baseless claims), and belief (personal attachment to an idea).
9. Features of Philosophy
- Inquisitive reason: Philosophy is coherent and informed but not absolute.
- Second-order knowledge: Philosophy builds upon scientific data, delving deeper into its implications.
- Constant criticism: Philosophy continuously reevaluates its foundations through critical analysis.
- Integrated knowledge: Philosophical constructions must be well-grounded.
10. Philosophy as Second-Order Knowledge
Philosophy is a second-order rational discipline that considers scientific contributions while maintaining its distinct perspective.
11. Complementary Ways of Knowing
- Science: Philosophy acknowledges scientific findings but remains a separate field of inquiry.
- Religion: Based on faith and sacred texts, religion contrasts with philosophy’s emphasis on reason.
- Literature: While a product of imagination, literature doesn’t offer the same rational discourse as philosophy.
Key Figures and Concepts in Philosophy
12. Immanuel Kant (1724-1804)
A German Enlightenment philosopher, Kant distinguished between theoretical and practical reason. Influenced by Newtonian physics, he emphasized the combination of reason and experience in acquiring knowledge. Kant viewed philosophy as a path to personal freedom and is considered a pivotal figure in modern philosophy, particularly German Idealism.
13. The Four Questions of Philosophy
Kant summarized philosophy into four questions: What can I know? What ought I to do? What may I hope for? What is man? He believed the first three depend on the fourth, highlighting the importance of understanding human nature.
14. Metaphysics
Metaphysics explores abstract questions about knowledge and reality.
15. Theoretical and Practical Philosophy
Theoretical philosophy examines human knowledge and reality, while practical philosophy focuses on human actions and purpose.
16. Ethics and Aesthetics
Ethics analyzes human behavior, seeking guidelines for moral action. Aesthetics studies artistic creation and the concept of beauty.
17. Modernity
Modern philosophy, prominent in the 17th and 18th centuries, was influenced by the Scientific Revolution, which shifted some areas of inquiry from philosophy to science.
18. Medieval Philosophy
The central philosophical problem of the Middle Ages was the relationship between faith and reason.
19. 20th-Century Thought
Key themes of 20th-century thought include technological mastery, the welfare state, and globalization.
20. The Ever-Present Nature of Philosophy
Philosophy is constantly evolving, with new thinkers and ideas emerging in the ongoing pursuit of knowledge.