Branches of Philosophy

Grace I. Mait

7 Branches of Philosophy1. Theology(Living)

2. Rational Psychology3. Logic4. Epistemology5. Ethics/ Moral Philosophy

(Non-Living)

6. Cosmology7. Metaphysics

1. TheologyStudy of Godthis branch is also called

RELIGIONdeals with why people

believe in a higher power and an afterlife

tackles about rituals and how people should act.

Examples of religion:DualismChristianity, Judaism, IslamMonotheismPolytheismBuddhismHinduism

2. Rational Psychologystudies man as having body and

soul”Rational” here indicates

psychological investigations based on reason alone, rather than on experiment

The method of rational psychology is to describe and study mental organizations and phenomena by the most fit mathematical concepts.

3. Logic(from the Greek logos: 'a

meaningful word')Studies man as having

intellectThe method is by using

reasoningCritical thinking and

problem solving

Example of Logic:•Mathematics:• 5 + X = 9• X = 4

• Syllogism:• Girls have long hair.• Ariel has long hair• Ariel is a girl.

4. EpistemologyValidity of human knowledgeStudies man as having intellect (like

Logic)is the study of

the nature and scope of knowledge and justified belief

Epistemology Subdivisions:AgnosticismSkepticismA posterioriA priori

•Agnosticism- the doctrine that conclusive knowledge of ultimate reality is an outright impossibility•Skepticism- the doctrine that any true knowledge is impossible or that all knowledge is uncertain.•A posteriori- the reasoning that experience comes first and knowledge afterwards. Latin “from behind-hand”•A priori- the reasoning that knowledge can be acquired through pure reason alone, independently and perhaps, before experience. Latin “from beforehand”

5. Ethics/ Moral PhilosophyStudies man as having willThis branch deals mainly with moralityQuestions: Is there a right and wrong? Is right and wrong the same for everyone?It helps people determine what is right

and wrong and how we can achieve the “good life”

The good lifeThis is where a

person has balance between happiness and virtue.

6. Cosmology•Cosmology is the study of the

Universe and its components, how it formed, how its has evolved and what is its future.• To religious studies, cosmology is

about a theistically created world ruled by supernatural forces

7. Metaphysics‘meta’ means beyond = outside universeMetaphysics is the study of originsAsks why we are here and what is our

purpose in life.Metaphysics is the foundation of

philosophy. Without an explanation or an interpretation of the world around us, we would be helpless to deal with reality.

Source:ohttp://groups.csail.mit.edu/

medg/people/doyle/publications/wirp83/

ohttp://www.roangelo.net/logwitt/philosophy-origin.html

ohttp://www.philosophybasics.com/branch_epistemology.html

ohttp://abyss.uoregon.edu/~js/ast123/lectures/lec01.html

Thank you!