Introduction to Philosophy Essay

Summary “It is very tempting for people not to believe, to remain submerged in reality instead of aware of this, to be carried along by the current of events rather than creating their very own destiny through thoughtful, self-employed choices” (Chaffee, 2013). With this paper, the importance of philosophy is discussed in practical terms. What makes it important?

What purpose does it serve and what causes do people have for chasing an education in it? How do this affect my life? Difficulties branches of philosophy, which are Metaphysics, Epistemology, Ethics, Political & Sociable, Aesthetics and Logic, are also discussed along with the contributing questions specific to each department and what each branch focuses on.

Philosophical Areas a few Philosophical Regions of Inquiry, Personal Relations and Application As stated by Cicero (n. deb. ), “Rightly defined, philosophy is simply his passion of knowledge. ” “The actual phrase philosophy is Greek in origin, and it is the composite of two Greek roots: philein, a Greek term for ‘love, ‘ and sophia, the Greek word for ‘wisdom. ‘ Taken together, they mean ‘the like or quest for wisdom'” (Chaffee, 2013). There are numerous reasons one particular would want to study philosophy, and considering that many people are different, the reasons vary. “Philosophy means liberation in the two measurements of schedule, soaring above the well known, finding it in new views, arousing wonder and the desire to fly” (Walter Kaufmann, in. d. ). Studying philosophy is a life changing experience.

It really is impossible to “unlearn” some thing once you have uncovered it, and so upon your brain being awakened, it are not able to go back to sleep. This scholarships you the gift of having a brand new, more complete perspective of the world around you along with life generally speaking. People are obviously inquisitive beings.

This is one among our biggest assets, as well as our biggest downfalls. Philosophy teaches you to believe critically regarding important concerns. This is a thing that takes time, effort and practice. Thinking vitally isn’t automatically easy, nevertheless the benefits happen to be plentiful.

The goal of philosophy is always to ask questions that “penetrate the of lifestyle to are up against the much deeper currents laying beneath” (Chaffee, 2013, g. 4). Due to there being several categories of philosophical questions to be answered and studied, you will discover several branches of philosophy with questions certain to these people and selected methodologies found in search of answers. These branches happen to be Metaphysics, Epistemology, Ethics, Personal & Cultural, Aesthetics and Logic. Metaphysics Metaphysics can be “the study of the supreme characteristics of reality or existence” (Chaffee, 2013, s. 31).

Bertrand Russell defines metaphysical beliefs as such, “Metaphysics, or the Philosophical Areas 4 attempt to get pregnant the world overall by means of thought, has been designed from the initial by the union and conflict of two very different impulses, the one urging men towards mysticism,  the other urging them toward science. ” Some of the major questions asked in this area of inquiry happen to be, “What is definitely the nature of reality? “, “What is the nature of self? “, “How are the mind and body relevant to each other? “, “Do we have personal independence or are the choices limited? “, “What are the arguments for and against the existence of Goodness? “, “Is there lifestyle after death? ” and “Does lifestyle have meaning? ” The methodology found in Metaphysics offers expanded so much over the years since Aristotle. One strategy used for giving an answer to questions such as these “emphasizes the continuity of metaphysics with science.

About this conception, metaphysics is mainly or specifically concerned with producing generalizations from our best-confirmed scientific theories” (“Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy”, 2014). Because of the problems answering some of these questions, some believe Metaphysics to be “impossible. ” You cannot find any current method to packaging a spiritual statement both true or perhaps false, and thus “impossible to determine what they are” (“Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy”, 2014). Citations Chaffee, M. (2013).

The Philosopher’s Way: Thinking Critically About Profound Ideas (4th ed. ). Upper Saddle River, NJ-NEW JERSEY: Pearson Education, Inc. Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. (2014). Retrieved via http://plato. stanford. edu/entries/metaphysics/ Epistemology Epistemology is the study of knowledge.

This identifies and evolves criteria, as well as methodologies, for what we know and why we understand it (Chaffee, 2013, l. 31). Some questions asked regarded epistemology are, “What is real truth? “, “Can we ever before really find out anything? “, “What Philosophical Areas your five are the types of knowledge? “, “What may be the relation between truth and knowledge? ” and “How can you raise your wisdom? ” This, “Defined narrowly…is study regarding knowledge and justified perception, ” according to the “Stanford Encyclopedia of Viewpoint (2014) or SEP. Right now, this staying said, you will discover sources of understanding and reason in epistemology.

These resources include understanding, introspection, memory space, reason and testimony. The bounds to this branch of philosophy will be skepticism, drawing a line under, relevant alternatives, denial, and moorean, contextualist & ambiguity responses (“Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy”, 2014). Citations Chaffee, J. (2013). The Philosopher’s Way: Considering Critically About Profound Suggestions (4thed. ). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education, Inc.

Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. (2014). Retrieved via http://plato. stanford. edu/entries/metaphysics/ Values Ethics is definitely the study of ethical values and principles. Concerns regarding integrity are activities such as, “How should certainly we deal with other people? “, “Is presently there a ‘good life’ to get humans? “, “What is a relation among moral ideals and faith? ” and “How can we decide on the moral rightness of sociable issues? ” (Chaffee, 2013, p. 31).

Everyday honest concerns is obviously can include any topic from capital punishment, euthanasia, lying, man rights, illigal baby killing, animal testing, cloning, captivity and porn material, among several others. The goal of having and studying integrity is a method for people to make sure that the decisions made happen to be following a pre-programmed ethical code or standard. “Creating yourself to be a sensible and experienced person entails developing an enlightened meaning compass that may guide your decisions. Persons typically rely on what they ‘feel’ is right Philosophical Areas 6th when confronted with challenging ethical dilemmas. The but we all ‘feel’ is definitely an unreliable moral guide”(Chaffee, 2013, l. 35). Info Chaffee, T. (2013).

The Philosopher’s Approach: Thinking Seriously About Outstanding Ideas (4th ed. ). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education, Inc. Political & Cultural Political and social viewpoint is “the study of social beliefs and politics forms of government” (Chaffee, 2013, p. 31). “What is a nature of justice? ” and “What is the most educated government? ” are common parts of inquiry by a personal and sociable standpoint in philosophy. Political and cultural philosophy essentially takes a glance at the various strategies people should govern themselves.

According to philosopher, Grande D’Holbach, “Politics must adapt to the importance and aspires of world, not to the passions of rulers. ” This means studying the ideals that the society should be based on, keeping in mind individual rights and justice. Details Chaffee, M. (2013). The Philosopher’s Method: Thinking Critically About Serious Ideas (4th ed. ). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education, Inc.

Aesthetics Aesthetics studies beauty, style and artwork. Two incredibly distinct inquiries that are specific to this branch are the following: “What is the nature of beauty? ” and “What is skill? ” “It analyzes work to establish requirements for natural beauty in all of its several manifestations. And it is exploring the nature and purpose of skill in man affairs” (Chaffee, 2013, s. 37). Have you ever heard of the saying, “Beauty is in the eye with the beholder”? Well, this is the branch of philosophy that examines how you can identify rules of natural beauty.

Other questions related to this asked in aesthetics are “Are presently there Philosophical Areas 7 common standards of beauty, or are they in accordance with cultural and individual preference? ” and “Is generally there one core concept of splendor or a number of concepts? ” Citations Chaffee, J. (2013). The Philosopher’s Way: Considering Critically About Profound Concepts (4th education. ). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education, Incorporation. Logic Common sense is the subset of philosophy that “seeks to determine the rules of correct thinking, clear understanding and valid arguments” (Chaffee, 2013, l. 31). “What are the rational principles of correct thinking? ” and “How do people use incorrect reasoning to reach fake conclusions? ” are questions associated with this branch.

In this branch of viewpoint, critical pondering is one of the most critical skills necessary. Citations Chaffee, J. (2013). The Philosopher’s Way: Thinking Critically Regarding Profound Ideas (4th education. ). Higher Saddle Water, NJ: Pearson Education, Inc. Thought Creation: Philosophy & Culture Faith, philosophy and culture are said to be three pillars or elements of human reality. How exactly does this tie up into thought development?

Precisely what is the relationship among philosophy and culture? “…compared to the feet with which Man journeys toward his destiny, philosophy may represent the eyes that scrutinize that journey, and culture, the planet earth on which Guy is walking during his concrete pilgrimage…” (Panikkar, 2000). Depending on one’s approach to examining this subject, it may be hard to separate religion from beliefs. For example , with an intercultural approach, it will not end up being possible, to get religion and philosophy could both always be dependent upon the culture. The key reason why that the two are amigo sometimes is definitely, according to Philosophical Areas 8 Panikkar (2000), “Philosophy is however the conscious and critical association of Man’s journeying towards his success.

This journeying is called faith in many ethnicities. ” Citations Panikkar, Ur. (2000). Religion, Philosophy & Culture. Recovered from http://them.polylog. org/1/fpr-en. htm Personal Connection to Request Philosophical Areas 9 Epistemology is the subset of philosophy that sticks out in my experience the most and resonates best to my innermost do it yourself. The jogger up is definitely metaphysics, since I do find myself questioning and wondering on the that means of existence and points of that characteristics.

However , I’ve decided a long time ago that the that means of a lot more specific for the person. No matter what it is that drives you, motivates both you and keeps you pushing ahead, that is your meaning; your “why”. Epistemology fascinates me personally because of its inquiries regarding know-how and real truth. Just because we realize something, will that make it real truth?

In the Taoist religion, the journey you embark on should be to enlightenment. The purpose of Taoism is to find truth and to begin to see the whole photo, the entire photo, for what it truly is. Not many achieve such a spiritual level such as that, but that is the reason for working so diligently internally. I use always respected Buddhist and Taoist for these reasons.

As far as cultural influence in the decisions goes, I would need to admit that the American traditions does not include as much to offer (that I actually am seeking, at least) as additional cultures do. I am proud of my heritage, nevertheless my lifestyle is a different story. I believe like I’m searching for anything, yet are not able to pinpoint what that something happens to be. Hopefully right at the end of this course I will include a better perspective and thought of what that thing is. References Chaffee, J. (2013).

The Philosopher’s Way: Considering Critically About Profound Ideas (4th education. ). Upper Saddle Riv, NJ: Pearson Education, Incorporation. Stanford Encyclopedia of Idea. (2014). Gathered from http://plato. stanford. edu/entries/metaphysics/ Panikkar, Ur. (2000).

Religious beliefs, Philosophy & Culture. Gathered from http://them. polylog. org/1/fpr-en. htm. �