Millions Saw the Apple Fall: An Introduction to Philosophy Feraco-EberleSFHP 28 October 2008

What is Philosophy? Phi-los-o-phy: Phi-los-o-phy: The rational investigation of the truths and principles of being, knowledge, or conduct. The rational investigation of the truths and principles of being, knowledge, or conduct. “Philosophy: a route of many roads leading from nowhere to nothing.” “Philosophy: a route of many roads leading from nowhere to nothing.” Ambrose Bierce Ambrose Bierce “Philosophy asks the simple question: What is it all about?” “Philosophy asks the simple question: What is it all about?” Alfred North Whitehead Alfred North Whitehead

Why Study Philosophy? Quest for wisdom (sound familiar?) in an unhelpful world Quest for wisdom (sound familiar?) in an unhelpful world “The unexamined life is not worth living.” “The unexamined life is not worth living.” Socrates Socrates Resist inertia through examination Resist inertia through examination Life keeps on moving; take time to notice why in order to make it worthwhile Life keeps on moving; take time to notice why in order to make it worthwhile

Balance in Life Pursuing one star point at the expense of all others? Pursuing one star point at the expense of all others? Not quite; puts the others in perspective Not quite; puts the others in perspective Allows you to see the star as it is – both how it looks and why it looks that way Allows you to see the star as it is – both how it looks and why it looks that way “The object of studying philosophy is to know one’s own mind, not other people’s.” “The object of studying philosophy is to know one’s own mind, not other people’s.” Ralph William Inge Ralph William Inge This should help with both This should help with both Siddhartha helps us reassess ourselves Siddhartha helps us reassess ourselves This helps us look both outwardly and inwardly – honestly This helps us look both outwardly and inwardly – honestly

Hallmarks of Good Philosophers Be aware, curious, methodical, and eloquent Be aware, curious, methodical, and eloquent Be willing to set aside beliefs, even if you pick them up after you’re done chasing your idea Be willing to set aside beliefs, even if you pick them up after you’re done chasing your idea Analyze, assess, and argue Analyze, assess, and argue Pursue coherent, complete, and correct answers Pursue coherent, complete, and correct answers Don’t frustrate yourself quickly; if answers were the only goal, philosophy would have died out Don’t frustrate yourself quickly; if answers were the only goal, philosophy would have died out

What Can We Learn? Among other things, we’ll take a look at the nature of ethics and morality, of life and death, of fate and destiny (and, in turn, freedom and happiness), and various other human concerns. Among other things, we’ll take a look at the nature of ethics and morality, of life and death, of fate and destiny (and, in turn, freedom and happiness), and various other human concerns. In other words, we’ll search for human potential – enlightenment, independence, identity, security, and love! In other words, we’ll search for human potential – enlightenment, independence, identity, security, and love! Many of you will arrive at different answers when posed with the same questions – but by asking and examining, we’re making progress. Many of you will arrive at different answers when posed with the same questions – but by asking and examining, we’re making progress.

Why Are We Learning? An examined life is more meaningful An examined life is more meaningful Building analytical/reflective skills that last a lifetime Building analytical/reflective skills that last a lifetime Wisdom cannot be taught, but the knowledge we gain can certainly help us walk that path Wisdom cannot be taught, but the knowledge we gain can certainly help us walk that path “Wisdom is the perfect good of the human mind; philosophy is the love of wisdom and the endeavor to attain it.” “Wisdom is the perfect good of the human mind; philosophy is the love of wisdom and the endeavor to attain it.” Seneca Seneca Knowledge adds context to the experiences that allow us to gain wisdom – the “glasses” on Govinda Knowledge adds context to the experiences that allow us to gain wisdom – the “glasses” on Govinda In other words, life shouldn’t be lived in a textbook – but there are incredible things to be found in books! In other words, life shouldn’t be lived in a textbook – but there are incredible things to be found in books!

How Do We Learn? Choose a topic or view, look for evidence or experiences, and evaluate new views and arguments in the context of the ones you already hold – after you’ve proven those are valid – by proving they’re coherent/complete/correct Choose a topic or view, look for evidence or experiences, and evaluate new views and arguments in the context of the ones you already hold – after you’ve proven those are valid – by proving they’re coherent/complete/correct A rationalist values reason above all else, believing it to be the ultimate starting point of knowledge A rationalist values reason above all else, believing it to be the ultimate starting point of knowledge Usually requires argument for proof of anything before they can believe it Usually requires argument for proof of anything before they can believe it An empiricist values experience over all else, and sees sensory experience as the starting point of knowledge An empiricist values experience over all else, and sees sensory experience as the starting point of knowledge “I’ll believe it when I see it” “I’ll believe it when I see it” Each has use for the other Each has use for the other Do we have rationalists in here? How about empiricists? Do we have rationalists in here? How about empiricists?

The Nature of Argument Not a competition – you don’t have to “win,” because that assumes you’re fighting someone rather than exploring something Not a competition – you don’t have to “win,” because that assumes you’re fighting someone rather than exploring something Rhetoric/debate a bit different from philosophy Rhetoric/debate a bit different from philosophy “The aim of argument, or of discussion, should not be victory, but progress.” “The aim of argument, or of discussion, should not be victory, but progress.” Joseph Joubert Joseph Joubert Instead of trying to beat someone, you establish an idea and a conclusion Instead of trying to beat someone, you establish an idea and a conclusion Sometimes you want to persuade someone Sometimes you want to persuade someone Sometimes you just want to satisfy yourself Sometimes you just want to satisfy yourself

Establishing Belief Many ways of doing so Many ways of doing so Remember empiricism vs. rationality? Remember empiricism vs. rationality? Beliefs establish a road map for your existence Beliefs establish a road map for your existence You obey laws, for example You obey laws, for example Our actions are based on our beliefs – either our decisions to follow them, or our decisions to violate them Our actions are based on our beliefs – either our decisions to follow them, or our decisions to violate them Belief is not the same as knowledge Belief is not the same as knowledge You can throw a pitch without throwing a strike You can throw a pitch without throwing a strike However, you can’t know something unless you believe it However, you can’t know something unless you believe it

Where We’ll Go We’ll examine the nature of truth and belief – as well as the various methods of establishing both – and how to be skeptical We’ll examine the nature of truth and belief – as well as the various methods of establishing both – and how to be skeptical We’ll also survey humanity’s greatest thinkers – famous names like Plato, Socrates, Aristotle, Descartes, and Kirkegaard – as well as apply some philosophy to “The Matrix” in ways that can make your head spin! We’ll also survey humanity’s greatest thinkers – famous names like Plato, Socrates, Aristotle, Descartes, and Kirkegaard – as well as apply some philosophy to “The Matrix” in ways that can make your head spin!

For Now… Begin taking some time each day to reflect on your life – what’s been happening, why you’re living the way you do, etc. Begin taking some time each day to reflect on your life – what’s been happening, why you’re living the way you do, etc. You should never walk down a path without having a real idea of why you’re walking You should never walk down a path without having a real idea of why you’re walking Exploration can be useful by itself Exploration can be useful by itself “The days on which one has been most inquisitive are among the days on which one has been happiest.” “The days on which one has been most inquisitive are among the days on which one has been happiest.” Robert Lynd Robert Lynd “Think like a man of action; act like a man of thought.” “Think like a man of action; act like a man of thought.” Henri Bergson Henri Bergson