
What is philosophy?

6 Main branches of philosophy

Value of philosophy

Philosophy jobs

What is philosophy

“Love of wisdom”
a
source of new scientific hypotheses
 autonomous from science
 conceptual analysis
 The origin of science
 ideology critique
 living the examined life
 the establishment or eradication of
metaphysics
 the examination of the limits of reason
 nonsense
 Inquiry
into EVERYTHING.
 Birth of Science.
 Asks hard questions.
 Asks “meta” questions.

Critiques fundamental
principles/methods in all disciplines
(including itself)
Study of
knowled
ge
Ann Jenson 201
 Plato,
Machiavelli, Montaigne,
Tocqueville, Spinoza, Hobbes.
 John Locke’s (1632-1704) influence on
Thomas Jefferson, Ben Franklin, John
Adams.
 John Locke: British Empiricist wrote on
philosophy of mind, moral theory, and
the rights of an individual: freedom of
consciousness, freedom of religion,
separation of church and state, etc.
Does any one of the branches of
philosophy have priority over others?

Metaphysics?
› It tells you what the basic constituents of
reality
› It tells you what it is that you can know
about.

Epistemology?
› If there is a fundamental reality out there, we
might not know about it.
› What’s the point in theorizing about the world
if we have no theory of how we can know
about it?
› Epistemology gives us criteria to tell us
whether our beliefs (about things) are justified.

Ethics?

Political Philosophy?

Logic?
Some myths about philosophy classes:
Myth 1: Nobody ever fails a philosophy class.
False: If you don’t do the work and do poorly on
the tests and assignments, you could fail the class.

Some myths about philosophy classes:

Myth 2: Everybody gets A’s in philosophy
classes.
False: Working hard, reading carefully, and
coming to class with comments and questions
are prerequisites for getting an A.



Myth 3: Philosophy is about opinions and all
opinions are equally valid. Therefore, if I share
my opinions, I will do well in the class.
False: Philosophy courses are content based.
Scientists
and
philosophers
Scientists
and
philosophers
--The value of philosophy is to be found
among the goods of the mind.
-- it enlarges our thoughts and free
them from the tyranny of custom.
-- provides escape of the constraint of
our simple assumptions and narrow
point of view.
-- Contemplation allows for more
possibilities in thought and action.
-- examining one’s views strengthens
one’s position.
Ethical Review Boards: Any publically
funded hospital hires professional
philosophers.
 Businesses hire philosophers. I.e. Norway
Oil.
 Activists get involved in committees to
oversee proper treatment of animals,
children, environment, etc. I.e. Utah
Primates Group.
 Political philosophers/ ethicists hired by
government.
 Philosophical counseling. Life coaches.

Philosophers have very subtle distinctions
between their ideas.
 It is important to express your ideas CLEARLY
to capture these subtle distinctions.
 Read slowly, and re-read articles.
 Identify thesis statements, premises, and
conclusions.
 Outline arguments.
 Summarize arguments in your own words,
using your own examples.
