1. The field of philosophy offers many different theories or points of view on the nature of these categories of reality, and on the relationships between them. NaturalMentalSpiritual

2. Some versions of Materialism or Naturalism Some philosophies believe that only physical objects or matter and energy are real; that even mental creations are simply detectable and measurable changes in the brain and body; and, that spiritual things are merely another type of construction by the mind. Physical Matter and Energy

3. Some versions of Idealism Some philosophies believe that all reality exists only in our minds; the material and spiritual worlds have no objective or independent existence or reality beyond our mental ideas, feelings, or images about them. Mental Constructs

4. Some versions of Spiritualism Some philosophies believe physical, mental, and spiritual things are all very real; but, they do not exist in separate categories; rather, they are interactive elements within a single integrated reality. Physical Mental Spiritual

5. Some versions of Skepticism Some philosophies believe that we cannot know what exists or is real; our primary means of knowing (senses, minds, hearts) are simply too deceptive, too confused, and too unreliable to allow for any certainty about existence or reality. ? ? ? ? ?

6. Some versions of Social Constructionism Some philosophies believe that, in the final analysis, what really exists is whatever the most influential and powerful groups in society say really exists. Social Constructs

7. Are These Social Constructs? Gender Roles? Race? California Mission History? Evolution? Global Warming? Islamic Extremism

8. Some versions of Existentialism Some philosophies believe that the issue of ultimate existence is irrelevant; all that really matters is what each person believes exists, and how those beliefs affect his or her personal life. Personal Construction

9. So, is Existence or Reality… Only Physical Matter? (Materialism) All Mental Constructs? (Idealism) An Integrated Physical/Mental/Spiritual Whole? (Spiritualism) Unknowable? (Skepticism) Defined by Each Society’s Elite? (Social Constructionism) Whatever Each Individual Thinks It Is? (Existentialism) Something Else Entirely?

10. Epistemology What is knowledge? and How do we know things?

11. “Knowledge” We use the word all the time. We seem to have a shared understanding of what it means. Yet, it is difficult to actually define it. How do you think about “knowledge”?

12. “Knowledge” could be considered something In the Mind

13. “Knowledge” could be considered Multidimensional and Complicated

14. “Knowledge” could be considered Abstract and Mysterious

15. “Knowledge” could be considered Confusing

16. Knowledge is all these things…

17. But, We can try to simplify it !

18. Many Philosophers Say… Knowledge is “Justified True Beliefs” or JTB

19. Knowledge is Things you believe that you can justify that are true

20. 3 Alternative Views of “Truth” Truth is Objective Truth is Subjective Truth is Relative –relative to some system of justification –relative to some social group

21. Knowledge is Things you believe that you can justify that are true Statements that you believe that you can justify within some system of justification to the satisfaction of most people who operate within that system.

22. Examples of Knowledge Statements 1. There are 30 students enrolled in HCOM 301-01. 2. Bill Clinton was the first president of the United States. 3. God is present in all living things. 4. Acting with kindness will increase the chances that a person will receive kindness from others. 5. Men make better leaders than women. 6. The air we breathe is 78% nitrogen, 20.95% oxygen, and 1.05% other gases. 7. Abortion is murder. 8. In 1531, on a hilltop outside Mexico City, Our Lady of Guadalupe appeared to farmer Juan Diego. 9. The U.S. invasion and occupation of Iraq was good for the Iraqi people. 10. Some 150,000 to 200,000 years ago, the human species evolved into being from lower life forms.

23. Clearly, these are all expressed beliefs or knowledge statements But, how do we determine if they are “true”? What methods are available to justify or support, or to disprove, the truthfulness of expressed beliefs or knowledge statements?

24. Introducing Epistemology Well, it shouldn’t surprise us that there are many alternative and competing methods for determining the truthfulness of our beliefs or knowledge. That is why we say that there are multiple “Ways of Knowing”. The study of these alternative ways of knowing is called Epistemology.

25. Alternative “Ways of Knowing” Essentially, are different ways of searching for understanding and truth, And, that use different methods or systems for justifying or supporting their claims to knowledge (i.e., different epistemologies)

26. Alternative Epistemologies Some are distinct, and have nothing in common with others Some are similar to others, having both common features and differences

27. Some Epistemologies We Will Explore Rationalism/Reason/Logic Empiricism/Experience/Science Religion/Revelation/Faith Intuition Spiritualism Social Constructionism Occultism Skepticism

28. Assignment on 2-6