1. Branches of Philosophy

2. The Object of Philosophy
Philosophy investigates the “Big Questions.”
This means that it is concerned with ultimate questions about the entire universe.
Nevertheless, these questions can be viewed from different perspectives and philosophy has developed several branches that approach the “Big Questions” differently.

3. Branches of Philosophy?
Metaphysics
Epistemology
Ethics
Logic

4. Metaphysics Metaphysics is the heart of philosophy.
It investigates the existence of the universe and of ALL things in it.
Questions:
How did the universe come into existence?
What is existence and non-existence?
What KINDS of things exists in the universe?
Does God exist? Do souls exist?

5. Epistemology Epistemology investigates KNOWLEDGE. Questions:
What does it mean “to know”?
What can we know?
What is the difference between knowing and
believing?
How do you know that you know?
How much evidence does one need for a
belief to be considered knowledge?

6. Ethics Ethics studies what actions are morally right and wrong.
Questions:
Is there a right and wrong?
Is right and wrong the same for everyone?
What makes an action morally right and
wrong?
How can we know what is morally right or
wrong in any given situation?

7. Logic Logic studies right reasoning and argumentation. Questions:
Do all claims have a truth value?
What is an argument?
What is a good and bad argument?

8. Other Branches Aesthetics (Philosophy of Art and Beauty)
Philosophy of History
Political Philosophy
Philosophy of Psychology
Philosophy of Race and Ethnicity
Philosophy of Science
Philosophy of Mind
Philosophy of Religion
Philosophy of Education
Philosophy of Mathematics
Philosophy of Law
Philosophy of Language
Existentialism
Phenomenology
Pragmatism

9. Philosophy is the study of the ULTIMATE
Philosophy studies that which is ultimate.
It asks the most radical question in any area of research.
Its questions go beyond the established areas of research.
It probes underneath,
It unveils assumptions other disciplines work off of.

10. Father of Philosophy Socrates (469-399 BCE)
Character in Plato’s Dialogues

11. Plato (427-347 BCE) Apology Crito Republic Euthyphro
                   
Author of the Dialogues
Apology
Crito
Republic
Euthyphro