Lecture 2: What is Philosophy?

LECTURE 2: WHAT IS PHILOSOPHY?

TOPIC RECAP

TOPIC RECAP

What is Philosophy?

Philosophy involves the activity of asking questionsPhilosophy involves the activity of asking questions

Philosophy asks questions about itself (Meta-Philosophy)Philosophy asks questions about itself (Meta-Philosophy)

Philosophers seek to build theories and explanationsPhilosophers seek to build theories and explanations

Philosophy is NOT a sciencePhilosophy is NOT a science

Philosophers Primarily deal with Open ConceptsPhilosophers Primarily deal with Open Concepts

Philosophy involves making argumentsPhilosophy involves making arguments

TOPIC RECAP

Who Does Philosophy?

Not Just academics/students/professors/people wearing togasNot Just academics/students/professors/people wearing togas

Anyone that asks a philosophical questionAnyone that asks a philosophical question

We are all capable of being philosophers, it just depends on the We are all capable of being philosophers, it just depends on the questions we ask and how we look at themquestions we ask and how we look at them

Why should we do philosophy?

Perhaps it is in our nature to ask philosophical questions.Perhaps it is in our nature to ask philosophical questions.

Some philosophical questions are important.Some philosophical questions are important.

Some questions are wholly philosophical and there is no other way of Some questions are wholly philosophical and there is no other way of looking at them or avoiding them.looking at them or avoiding them.

Philosophy can be a powerful tool and can help us learn valuable skills.Philosophy can be a powerful tool and can help us learn valuable skills.

Self-ImprovementSelf-Improvement

TOPIC RECAP

How do we do Philosophy?

Philosophy involves formulating argumentsPhilosophy involves formulating arguments

There are many different means of making philosophical arguments There are many different means of making philosophical arguments (comic books, letters, paintings, essays, film, literature, music, poetry (comic books, letters, paintings, essays, film, literature, music, poetry etc. etc.)etc. etc.)

... To be continued... To be continued

WHAT IS PHILOSOPHY?

TODAY’S LECTURE

In today’s lecture we will:

1.1.Look at the origins of philosophyLook at the origins of philosophy

2.2.Discuss in further detail the differences between science and Discuss in further detail the differences between science and philosophyphilosophy

3.3.Discuss the methodological differences between science and Discuss the methodological differences between science and philosophyphilosophy

4.4.Conclude by discussing the value of philosophyConclude by discussing the value of philosophy

THE ORIGINS OF PHILOSOPHY

ORIGINS OF PHILOSOPHY

The origins of philosophy and science

The natural sciences were originally a part of philosophy (Prior to The natural sciences were originally a part of philosophy (Prior to figures such as Galileo and Newton)figures such as Galileo and Newton)

Before modern science there was little, if any, distinction to be made Before modern science there was little, if any, distinction to be made between the natural sciences, mathematics, astrology, and philosophy.between the natural sciences, mathematics, astrology, and philosophy.

Science and philosophy are distinct spheres of inquiryScience and philosophy are distinct spheres of inquiry

But their shared origins suggest that there are some crucial similarities But their shared origins suggest that there are some crucial similarities between science and philosophybetween science and philosophy

Where did Philosophy come from?Where did Philosophy come from?


Thales of MiletusThales of Miletus

Lived 580 B.C.E.Lived 580 B.C.E.

Regarded as the first philosopher in Regarded as the first philosopher in the Western traditionthe Western tradition

Thales formulated the first Thales formulated the first metaphysical theorymetaphysical theory

Believed that everything was Believed that everything was composed of watercomposed of water


Thales’ Metaphysical Theory

Observation (O)Observation (O)

The Nile, unlike almost every other known river, dries up in The Nile, unlike almost every other known river, dries up in

the winter and floods in the summer. the winter and floods in the summer.

Hypothesis (H1):Hypothesis (H1):

O is caused by the wind.O is caused by the wind.


Thales’ Metaphysical Theory

Question:Question:

What is everything composed of?What is everything composed of?


Everything is composed of water.Everything is composed of water.


An alternative to Thales’ metaphysical theory

Observation (O): Observation (O):

The Nile, unlike almost every other known river, dries up in The Nile, unlike almost every other known river, dries up in

the winter and floods in the summer. the winter and floods in the summer.


O is caused by the will of the Gods.O is caused by the will of the Gods.


Thales’ Hypothesis in contrast to his Predecessors


The Nile’s flooding and drying up is caused by the wind.The Nile’s flooding and drying up is caused by the wind.


Everything is composed of water.Everything is composed of water.


The Nile’s flooding and drying up is caused by the will of The Nile’s flooding and drying up is caused by the will of

the Gods.the Gods.



The Nile’s The Nile’s floodingflooding and and drying up drying up is caused by the is caused by the windwind..


EverythingEverything is composed of is composed of waterwater..


The Nile’s The Nile’s floodingflooding and and drying up drying up is caused by the will of is caused by the will of

the the GodsGods..

Natural Phenomena

Thales’ Hypothesis in contrast to his Predecessors

SupernaturalEvents


The significance of Thales’ Question

Question: What is everything composed of?Question: What is everything composed of?

Assumptions:Assumptions:

1.1.Despite the numerous changes we observe, something must remain Despite the numerous changes we observe, something must remain constant for change to be possibleconstant for change to be possible

2.2.The world is composed of many different things; the concept of The world is composed of many different things; the concept of difference is logically dependent on the concept of samenessdifference is logically dependent on the concept of sameness

3.3.The human mind is capable of knowing and fathoming what the one The human mind is capable of knowing and fathoming what the one behind the many isbehind the many is

Why is this question significant? Why is this question significant?

Thales was the first to maintain the belief that reality is Thales was the first to maintain the belief that reality is composed of one thingcomposed of one thing


Discussion:

1. In what way, if any, is Thales’ theory of reality similar to the 1. In what way, if any, is Thales’ theory of reality similar to the

theories endorsed by modern natural scientists?theories endorsed by modern natural scientists?

2.2.In what way, if any, is Thales’ theory distinct from his peers and In what way, if any, is Thales’ theory distinct from his peers and

predecessors?predecessors?

3.3.How does Thales’ come to his conclusion that everything is How does Thales’ come to his conclusion that everything is

composed of water?composed of water?


Mythical Thinking (Mythos)

Thales’ predecessors used supernatural and mythical explanations to Thales’ predecessors used supernatural and mythical explanations to account for natural phenomenaaccount for natural phenomena

Mythical thinking maintains that everything can be traced back to gods Mythical thinking maintains that everything can be traced back to gods and supernatural eventsand supernatural events

Mythical explanations often begin ‘Once long ago...’Mythical explanations often begin ‘Once long ago...’

Mythical explanations are often unhistorical, unchanging, and are Mythical explanations are often unhistorical, unchanging, and are handed down from generation to generation within a culturehanded down from generation to generation within a culture


An example of mythical thinking:

Once when ‘Care’ was crossing a river, she saw some clay; she thoughtfully Once when ‘Care’ was crossing a river, she saw some clay; she thoughtfully

took up a piece and began to shape it. While she was meditating on what she took up a piece and began to shape it. While she was meditating on what she

had made, Jupiter came by. ‘Care’ asked him to give it spirit, and this he had made, Jupiter came by. ‘Care’ asked him to give it spirit, and this he

gladly granted. But when she wanted her name to be bestowed upon it, he gladly granted. But when she wanted her name to be bestowed upon it, he

forbade this, and demanded that it be given his name instead. While ‘Care’ forbade this, and demanded that it be given his name instead. While ‘Care’

and Jupiter were disputing, Earth arose and desired that her own name be and Jupiter were disputing, Earth arose and desired that her own name be

conferred on the creature, since she had furnished it with part of her body. conferred on the creature, since she had furnished it with part of her body.

They asked Saturn to be their arbiter, and he made the following decision, They asked Saturn to be their arbiter, and he made the following decision,

which seemed a just one: ‘Since you, Jupiter, have given its spirit, you shall which seemed a just one: ‘Since you, Jupiter, have given its spirit, you shall

receive that spirit at its death; and since you, Earth, have given its body, you receive that spirit at its death; and since you, Earth, have given its body, you

shall receive its body. But since ‘Care’ first shaped this creature, she shall shall receive its body. But since ‘Care’ first shaped this creature, she shall

possess it as long as it lives. And because there is now dispute among you as possess it as long as it lives. And because there is now dispute among you as

to its name, let it be called ‘to its name, let it be called ‘homo’, homo’, for it is made of out for it is made of out humus humus (earth).’(earth).’

Martin Heidegger, Martin Heidegger, Being and Time, Being and Time, Trans & Ed. John Macquarrie & Edward Robinson. Trans & Ed. John Macquarrie & Edward Robinson.

(New York: Harper & Row, 1962), p. 242(New York: Harper & Row, 1962), p. 242


Thales’ ThinkingThales’ Thinking

Thales employed reasoning and rational thinking (Thales employed reasoning and rational thinking (logoslogos), as opposed to ), as opposed to mythical thinking (mythical thinking (mythos)mythos)

RationalismRationalism

““The view that affirms The view that affirms reasonreason, with its interest in , with its interest in evidenceevidence, , examinationexamination, and , and evaluationevaluation, as authoritative in all matters of belief , as authoritative in all matters of belief

and conduct”and conduct”((Miller, Ed L. Questions that Matter, 2009. ))

Examples of rational thinking include:Examples of rational thinking include:

ScienceSciencePhilosophyPhilosophyMathematicsMathematicsNatural TheologyNatural Theology

Thales traces natural phenomena back to their Thales traces natural phenomena back to their ontologicalontological roots roots


Two Quick Definitions:

Nonrational:

A nonrational claim is one that is justified, if at all, through an appeal to something other than or different from reason. Authority, feeling, intuition, religious illumination, mystical experience and the like are all nonrational justifications.

Irrational:

An irrational claim is contrary to reason. There are two forms of irrational claims.1.A claim that flies in the face of everything we would expect from history, experience, and nature.

2.A claim that could not conceivably be true: it involves a self-contradiction and is therefore logically impossible.

(Miller, Ed L. Questions that Matter, 2009. p.13)

SCIENCE AND PHILOSOPHY


Similarities between Science and Philosophy?

In what way are science and philosophy similar?

Both science and philosophy promote reason and rationalism as authoritative, particularly over mythical modes of thinking

Both are seeking knowledge

Both are attempting to formulate explanations

Both proceed by appealing to evidence, examination and evaluation


What is the difference between science and philosophy?

What knowledge does science seek?

Knowledge of the natural, physical world

Science seeks to arrive at closed concepts and theories

How does science proceed?

Empirical research

Depends on quantifiable evidence

Formulates and tests theories to explain natural phenomena

The scientific method (observation, control and experimentation)

Uses scientific tools (test tubes, laboratories, microscopes)


What is the difference between science and philosophy?

What knowledge does philosophy seek?

Knowledge of the world (not just restricted to the natural world)

Primarily investigates open concepts

Knowledge of the human experience

How does philosophy proceed?

Discussion

Critical thinking

Tests the logic and validity of arguments, concepts and theories

Conducts rational investigations into objects and concepts that cannot be investigated empirically


Closed Concepts:Closed Concepts:

What is a Triangle?

A closed shape with three sides and three angles that equal 1800

Open ConceptsOpen Concepts

What is Time?

What is Truth?

Time saving truth from falsehood and envy, François Lemoyne, 1737.

What is Justice?

Justice, Luca Giordano, 1684-1686



What is a Mammal?What is a Mammal?

A Warm-Blooded VertebrateA Warm-Blooded Vertebrate

Mammals Not Mammals

Everything is Water!

Oh No it Isn’t!

Nothing Changes but Change

Itself! (Heraclitus)

Err... If you say so!

Not everything can be examined scientifically!


What is This?What is This?

Is it a duck or is it a rabbit?Is it a duck or is it a rabbit?


What is This?What is This?

a)a)Square suspended in a frameSquare suspended in a frame

b)b)Lampshade seen from aboveLampshade seen from above

c)c)Lampshade seen from belowLampshade seen from below

d)d)Looking into a tunnelLooking into a tunnel

e)e)Aerial view of a truncated pyramidAerial view of a truncated pyramid

Some questions do not have any definite answers but are still valid questions!

CONCLUSION

TOPIC RECAP

What, How, and Why do we do Philosophy?

Philosophy involves the activity of Philosophy involves the activity of Critically Critically and and Rationally Rationally thinking thinking about the question it asksabout the question it asks

Philosophy involves formulating argumentsPhilosophy involves formulating arguments

Philosophy has a wider investigative and methodological scope than Philosophy has a wider investigative and methodological scope than sciencescience

Examines questions and formulates theories that science is unable to Examines questions and formulates theories that science is unable to investigate:investigate:

Is lying wrong?Is lying wrong?Does god exist?Does god exist?Is the scientific method valid?Is the scientific method valid?

Philosophy of.. [insert discipline]Philosophy of.. [insert discipline]

Philosophy can be useful tool for critically examine the Philosophy can be useful tool for critically examine the assumptions implicit in other systems of thoughtassumptions implicit in other systems of thought

Remember: Philosophy like any tool has a limited role and application!Remember: Philosophy like any tool has a limited role and application!

DISCUSSION

DISCUSSION

Questions for Discussion:

1.Is the distinction between mythical and rational thinking valid? Or

does modern science constitute another form of myth-making?

2.Could science do without philosophy or vice versa?

3.Can philosophy be scientific?

4.Can science be philosophical?

Documents

Lecture 2: What is Philosophy?