1. Welcome to Philosophy and Ethics! Ms. Krall Room 347

2. What is Philosophy? First, let’s answer some questions… First, let’s answer some questions… What is wisdom? What is wisdom? What is common sense? What is common sense? What is knowledge? What is knowledge? What does it mean to be ‘book smart?” What does it mean to be ‘book smart?”

3. Philosophy Philo (love) + sophia (wisdom) Philo (love) + sophia (wisdom) Philosophy is the love (or pursuit) of wisdom Philosophy is the love (or pursuit) of wisdom

4. The Simplest Definition is Sometimes the Best! “Philosophy is thinking really hard about something.” (Alvin Plantinga)

5. What it means to have perspective Look at the object. Look at the object. Take 3 minutes to think of every way this item can be used besides its originally intended function. Take 3 minutes to think of every way this item can be used besides its originally intended function.

6. Based on Two Premises One: Wisdom, (having good judgment) One: Wisdom, (having good judgment) So, Philosophy is the love (or pursuit) of good judgment So, Philosophy is the love (or pursuit) of good judgment

7. Number Two… Philosophy begins with wonder. Philosophy begins with wonder. Wonder —> reflection —> critical examination Wonder —> reflection —> critical examination At the world At what we do At what we are Philosophy involves argument: giving reasons

8. The Great Eight Questions “worldview” “worldview” “beliefs” “beliefs” The perception of the surrounding world, which could include personal beliefs. The perception of the surrounding world, which could include personal beliefs. We need to define the reason for believing what we believe! We need to define the reason for believing what we believe!

9. Components of Philosophy ( go back to the pencil sharpener ) Logic Logic Epistemology Epistemology Aesthetics Aesthetics Metaphysics Metaphysics Ethics Ethics

10. Logic This branch of Philosophy deals with the METHOD of argument. This branch of Philosophy deals with the METHOD of argument. It offers answers to questions such as: It offers answers to questions such as: “Is that reasoning sound?” “Is that reasoning sound?” “Is that statement true?” “Is that statement true?” “Is that conclusion valid ?” “Is that conclusion valid ?”

11. Epistemology The theory of knowledge The theory of knowledge What is knowledge? How do I know? Can I know anything at all? If so, where do I get it? Can I know anything independently of experience, through philosophical reflection alone?

12. Aesthetics This branch deals with beauty in Music and Art. This branch deals with beauty in Music and Art. It offers answers to questions like: It offers answers to questions like: “Is that good music?” “Is that good music?” “Is that painting better than this one?” “Is that painting better than this one?”

13. Metaphysics The study of what there is The study of what there is What is the world made of? What is the world made of? What kinds of things are there? What kinds of things are there? What is real? What is merely apparent? What is real? What is merely apparent? What am I? What am I? Is there a God?” Is there a God?”

14. Ethics The pursuit of good judgment about action. The pursuit of good judgment about action. What should I do? What should I do? What should I be? What kind of life should I lead? What should I be? What kind of life should I lead? “What makes actions “right” and “wrong”?” “What makes actions “right” and “wrong”?”

15. But…Is Philosophy Practical? Philosophy asks questions… Philosophy asks questions… What the world is like, What the world is like, How we know it, and How we know it, and What we ought to do about it, What we ought to do about it, Which, in turn affect our lives every day Which, in turn affect our lives every day Philosophy is the most practical of all disciplines Philosophy is the most practical of all disciplines

16. Four steps to Philosophical Analysis “Stop the world” “Stop the world” Decide “what and how” Decide “what and how” Zero in on an idea Zero in on an idea Think about it Think about it

17. Socrates (470 -399) Wrote nothing; appears as character in dialogues of Plato (427-347 BCE) Wrote nothing; appears as character in dialogues of Plato (427-347 BCE) First in West to advance philosophical arguments First in West to advance philosophical arguments

18. To philosophize is to Seek wisdom and virtue Seek wisdom and virtue Lead an examined life Lead an examined life Reflect on what life is and ought to be Reflect on what life is and ought to be Put your life in perspective Put your life in perspective To see and reflect on “the big picture” To see and reflect on “the big picture”

19. Socratic method (dialectic) Socrates asks what ___ is Socrates asks what ___ is Someone answers Someone answers Socrates analyzes the definition and asks questions to show that Socrates analyzes the definition and asks questions to show that It’s unclear It’s unclear It’s too narrow It’s too narrow It’s too broad It’s too broad Someone proposes another definition, etc. Someone proposes another definition, etc.

20. Dialect Form of argument where one person starts with a question or idea (thesis) and another person states the opposite idea (anti-thesis); The discussion will eventually lead to a universal definition (synthesis). Form of argument where one person starts with a question or idea (thesis) and another person states the opposite idea (anti-thesis); The discussion will eventually lead to a universal definition (synthesis).

21. Example of the Socratic method Fold a piece of paper in half lengthwise Fold a piece of paper in half lengthwise Left side write “Statement”, on the right, write “Question.” Left side write “Statement”, on the right, write “Question.” #1 Only people over the age of 18 should be able to drive #1 Only people over the age of 18 should be able to drive #2 The United States should abolish the sale of firearms to the public #2 The United States should abolish the sale of firearms to the public

22. What is dialectic for? Socrates was accused Socrates was accused of undermining belief in the Athenian gods and of undermining belief in the Athenian gods and of corrupting the youth of Athens of corrupting the youth of Athens His defense, and his explanation of his methods, is in Plato’s dialogue, The Apology His defense, and his explanation of his methods, is in Plato’s dialogue, The Apology

23. Apology “I sought to persuade every one of you to look to himself, and seek virtue and wisdom before he looks to his private interests, and look to the state before he looks to the interests of the state; and that this should be the order which he observes in all his actions.”

24. Apology Socrates' assumption: To be virtuous, you need to know what virtue is, Or at least engage in dialectic to find out Socrates was convicted The prosecution proposed the death penalty Socrates got to propose an alternative punishment People expected him to propose exile

25. The Unexamined Life “If I say again that the greatest thing a man can do is to converse about virtue every day, and that the unexamined life is not worth living-- you are still less likely believe me.”

26. Plato (428-348) Student of Socrates Student of Socrates Founded the Academy Founded the Academy Created a system to explain all major philosophical issues. Created a system to explain all major philosophical issues. Wrote The Republic Wrote The Republic

27. The Republic Referred to as the Polity (constitutional government of the city.) Referred to as the Polity (constitutional government of the city.) Plot centers around 6 men meeting in a house of a rich merchant. Plot centers around 6 men meeting in a house of a rich merchant. Socrates is primary character Socrates is primary character Meeting discusses questions on justice, rule, obedience, art, and education. Meeting discusses questions on justice, rule, obedience, art, and education. One major concept discussed is the “Allegory of the Cave” One major concept discussed is the “Allegory of the Cave” Is divided into ten chapters and is regarded as a philosophical classic. Is divided into ten chapters and is regarded as a philosophical classic.

28. The Allegory of the Cave What does the phrase “appearance versus reality” mean? What does the phrase “appearance versus reality” mean? Think of an example where something you thought to be true or real ended up being false and an illusion. Think of an example where something you thought to be true or real ended up being false and an illusion. And what the heck is an “Allegory?” And what the heck is an “Allegory?” (symbolic representation)

29. Premise to Allegory of the Cave Socrates explains two existing worlds… Socrates explains two existing worlds… To Sum up, according to Plato, the world accessible through reflection is more real than the world we sense around us. To Sum up, according to Plato, the world accessible through reflection is more real than the world we sense around us. One of being (reality attainable only through contemplation) One of being (reality attainable only through contemplation) One of becoming (appearance found through our senses) One of becoming (appearance found through our senses)