Introduction to Philosophy Essay

Abstract It is in fairness tempting for people not to think, to repose submerged in reality rather than aw argon of it, to be carried along by the current of events rather than creating their destiny through thoughtful, in hooklike choices (Chaffee, 2013). In this paper, the importance of philosophical system is discussed in practical terms. Why is it important? What amicable function does it serve and what tenablenesss do people have for pursuing an education in it? How can this affect my invigoration?The major several(prenominal)isees of philosophy, which be Metaphysics, Epistemology, Ethics, Political & Social, esthetics andLogic, argon also discussed along with the contri buting questions specific to each subsection and what each branch focuses on. philosophic Areas 3 Philosophical Areas of Inquiry, Personal traffic and Application As stated by Cicero (n. d. ), Rightly defined, philosophy is exclusively the love of intuition. The actual word philosophy is classic in origin, and it is the intricate of two Greek roots philein, a Greek word for love, and sophia, the Greek word for wisdom. Taken together, they mean the love or pursuit of wisdom (Chaffee, 2013). There be so many reasons wholeness wouldwant to subscribe philosophy, and considering that we are all(a) different, our reasons vary. philosophy heart liberation from the two dimensions of routine, proud above the well known, seeing it in new perspectives, arousing wonder and the entreat to fly (Walter Kaufmann, n. d. ). Studying philosophy is a life-changing experience. It is impossible to unlearn something at once you have discovered it, so upon your straits being awakened, it cannot go derriere to sleep. This grants you the gift of having a new, more complete perspective of the world nigh you and of life in general.People are naturally inquisitive creatures. This is unrivaled of our biggest assets, as well as our biggest downfalls. Philosophy teaches you to think criticall y to the highest degree important issues. This is something that takes prison term, effort and practice. view critically isnt necessarily easy, but the benefits are plentiful. The purpose of philosophy is to ask questions that penetrate the surface of life to confront the deeper currents lying beneath (Chaffee, 2013, p. 4).Due to there being so many different categories of philosophical questions to be answered and studied, there are severalbranches of philosophy with questions specific to them and certain methodologies use in search of answers. These branches are Metaphysics, Epistemology, Ethics, Political & Social, Aesthetics and Logic. Metaphysics Metaphysics is the study of the ultimate characteristics of reality or conception (Chaffee, 2013, p. 31).Bertrand Russell defines metaphysical philosophy as such, Metaphysics, or the Philosophical Areas 4 look for to conceive the world as a whole by heart of thought, has been developed from the first by the union and conflict of two very different impulses, the one(a) urging men towards mysticism,the some other urging them toward science. some(a) of the major questions asked in this area of inquiry are, What is the constitution of reality? , What is the nature of self? , How are the mind and body related to each other? , Do we have personal freedom or are our choices bound? , What are the arguments for and against the existence of God? , Is there life after last? and Does life have nitty-gritty? The methodology used in Metaphysics has spread out so much over the years since Aristotle. One method used for answering questions such as these emphasizes the continuity of metaphysics with science.On this conception, metaphysics is primarily or exclusively concerned with developing generalizations from our best-confirmed scientific theories (Stanford encyclopedia of Philosophy, 2014). Because of the impediment answering some of these questions, some believe Metaphysics to be impossible. There is no cu rrent way to label a metaphysical statement both true or stupid, and therefore impossible to find out what they are (Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, 2014). Citations Chaffee, J. (2013). The Philosophers focal point Thinking Critically approximately cloggy Ideas (4th ed. ).Upper saddle River, NJ Pearson Education, Inc. Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. (2014). Retrieved from http//plato. stanford. edu/entries/metaphysics/ Epistemology Epistemology is the study of association. This identifies and develops criteria, as well as methodologies, for what we know and why we know it (Chaffee, 2013, p. 31). Some questions asked regarded epistemology are, What is right? , Can we ever really know anything? , What Philosophical Areas 5 are the sources of knowledge? , What is the relation between truth and knowledge? and How can you emergence your wisdom? This, Defined narrowlyis the study of knowledge and justified belief, consort to the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (20 14) or SEP. Now, this being said, there are sources of knowledge and justification in epistemology. These sources include perception, introspection, memory, reason and testimony. The limits to this branch of philosophy are skepticism, closure, relevant alternatives, denial, and moorean, contextualist & ambiguity responses (Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, 2014). Citations Chaffee, J. (2013).The Philosophers Way Thinking Critically About good Ideas (4thed. ). Upper Saddle River, NJ Pearson Education, Inc. Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. (2014). Retrieved from http//plato. stanford. edu/entries/metaphysics/ Ethics Ethics is the study of incorrupt values and principles. Questions regarding ethics are things such as, How should we treat other people? , Is there a in force(p) life for humans? , What is the relation between lesson values and trust? and How do we decide on the moral rightness of accessible issues? (Chaffee, 2013, p. 31). prevalent ethical concerns in life can include any themefrom capital punishment, euthanasia, lying, human rights, abortion, animal testing, cloning, slavery and pornography, among several others. The purpose of having and canvas ethics is a way for people to ensure that the decisions made are following a preset ethical code or guideline. Creating yourself to be a wise and knowledgeable person entails developing an instruct moral compass that will guide your decisions. People typically rely on what they feel is right Philosophical Areas 6 when faced with challenging moral dilemmas.The but we feel is an unreliable moral guide(Chaffee, 2013, p. 35). Citations Chaffee, J. (2013). The Philosophers Way Thinking Critically About clayey Ideas (4th ed. ). Upper Saddle River, NJ Pearson Education, Inc. Political & Social Political and social philosophy is the study of social values and political forms of government (Chaffee, 2013, p. 31).What is the nature of justice? and What is the intimately enlightened government? a re common points of inquiry from a political and social standpoint in philosophy. Political and social philosophy basically takes a look at the various methods people should govern themselves.According to philosopher, mightiness DHolbach, Politics must conform to the essence and aims of society, not to the passions of rulers. This means analyzing the values that the society should be based on, keeping in mind individual rights and justice. Citations Chaffee, J. (2013). The Philosophers Way Thinking Critically About Profound Ideas (4th ed. ). Upper Saddle River, NJ Pearson Education, Inc. Aesthetics Aesthetics studies beauty, taste and art. cardinal very distinct questions that are specific to this branch are as follows What is the nature of beauty? and What is art? It analyzes efforts to establish standards for beauty in all of its various manifestations. And it explores the nature and purpose of art in human affairs (Chaffee, 2013, p. 37). Have you ever heard of the saying, Bea uty is in the eye of the percipient? Well, this is the branch of philosophy that examines how to identify principles of beauty. Other questions related to this asked in aesthetics are Are there Philosophical Areas 7 universal standards of beauty, or are they relative to cultural and individual taste? and Is there one core concept of beauty or many different concepts? Citations Chaffee, J. (2013). The Philosophers Way Thinking Critically About Profound Ideas (4th ed. ). Upper Saddle River, NJ Pearson Education, Inc. Logic Logic is the branch of philosophy that seeks to establish the rules of invent argumentation, clear understanding and valid arguments (Chaffee, 2013, p. 31). What are the logical principles of correct reasoning? and How do people use incorrect reasoning to reach false conclusions? are questions associated with this branch. In this branch of philosophy, critical thinking is one of the most important skills needed. Citations Chaffee, J.(2013).The Philosophers Wa y Thinking Critically About Profound Ideas (4th ed. ). Upper Saddle River, NJ Pearson Education, Inc. Thought Development Philosophy & conclusion Religion, philosophy and grow are said to be the three pillars or elements of human reality. How does this tie into thought development? What is the relationship between philosophy and culture? compared to the feet with which universe journeys towards his destiny, philosophy could represent the eyes that scrutinize that journey, and culture, the earthly concern on which Man is walking during his concrete pilgrimage (Panikkar, 2000).Depending on ones approach to examining this matter, it may be difficult to separate trust from philosophy. For example, with an intercultural approach, it would not be possible, for religion and philosophy would both be dependent upon the culture. The reason that the two are inseparable sometimes is, according to Philosophical Areas 8 Panikkar (2000), Philosophy is but the conscious and critical accompanim ent of Mans journeying towards his destiny. This journeying is called religion in many cultures. Citations Panikkar, R. (2000). Religion, Philosophy & Culture.Retrieved from http//them.polylog. org/1/fpr-en. htm Personal Attachment to Inquiry Philosophical Areas 9 Epistemology is the branch of philosophy that sticks out to me the most and resonates closest to my innermost self. The runner up is metaphysics, because I do find myself questioning and wondering on the import of life and things of that nature. However, I have decided a long time ago that the meaning of life is specific to the person. Whatever it is that drives you, motivates you and keeps you pushing forward, that is your meaning your why. Epistemology fascinates me because of its questions regarding knowledge and truth.Just because we know something, does that make it truth? In the Taoist religion, the journey you embark on is to enlightenment. The purpose of Taoism is to find truth and to see the whole picture, the e ntire picture, for what it is. Not many make it to such a spiritual level such as that, but that is the reason for working so diligently internally. I have always admire Buddhist and Taoist for these reasons. As far as cultural act upon on my decisions goes, I would have to admit that the American culture does not have as much to offer (that I am seeking, at least) as other cultures do.I am proud of my heritage, but my culture is a different story. I feel like Im searching for something, yet cannot pinpoint what that something is. Hopefully by the end of this ground level I will have a better outlook and judgment of what that thing is. References Chaffee, J. (2013). The Philosophers Way Thinking Critically About Profound Ideas (4th ed. ). Upper Saddle River, NJ Pearson Education, Inc. Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. (2014). Retrieved from http//plato. stanford. edu/entries/metaphysics/ Panikkar, R. (2000). Religion, Philosophy & Culture. Retrieved from http//them. polylog. o rg/1/fpr-en. htm.