Philosophy; Questions and TheoriesAn Introduction

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So What Is Philosophy?

• There is no easy answer to this question.• The shortest definition, writes contemporary theorist

Anthony Quinton is that philosophy is “thinking about thinking”.

• Every dictionary and philosopher will differ in explaining or defining philosophy. When the word philosophy is examined literally from its Greek origins

philein, meaning to love

sophia; meaning wisdom

Philosophy therefore can be understood as being the search for wisdom.

What is Philosophy?

• “Philosophy studies the fundamental nature of existence, of man, and of man’s relationship to existence …In the realm of cognition, the special sciences are the trees, but philosophy is the soil which makes the forest possible.”

Ayn Rand, Philosophy, Who Needs It (p. 2)

Know yourself

• A philosophy is a comprehensive system of ideas about human nature and the nature of the reality we live in. It is a guide for living, determining the course we take in life and how we treat other people.

The Difference between Science and Philosophy

Lucas Cranach, Hand mit Apfel (1528)

3 Modes of Knowing

• Science: The study of the proximate causes of things. Resolved via sensation.

• Philosophy: The study of the ultimate causes of things. Resolved via reason.

• Theology: Faith seeking understanding. Resolved through scriptures, revealed truths

Science and Philosophy

• Biology: the study of living things and their properties.

• What is the cause of cancer?

• What is the cause of the leaf’s green color?

• Philosophy of Biology:• What does it mean to

live?• What makes matter

living?• What are the

properties of living things?

Science and Philosophy

• Physics: the study of matter and energy and their interactions.

• What is the speed of light?

• If we drop two metal balls of different weight from a building, which one will land first?

• Philosophy of Physics• What is matter?• What is motion?• What is time?

Science and Philosophy

• Psychology: The study of human behavior.

• What is the cause of schizophrenia?

• What is the cause of depression?

• How do humans behave under stress?

• Philosophy of Human Nature:

• What does it mean to be a man? A woman?

• What is intelligence?• How are we to act?

(Moral Philosophy)

What is your philosophy?

• Biggest problem in the world

• Changes that need to be made in the world

• What inspires you• What you value most

about life• What fears, biases,

prejudices do you have• What you need to hear to

know that a person is “okay” and can be trusted

• These are ontological questions (the philosophical study of the nature of being, existence, or reality, as well as the basic categories of being and their relations).

• Answering these

questions is the first step in identifying your philosophy.

Pop Culture and Philosophy; Everybody Loves Raymond

Everybody Loves Raymond ran on CBS from 1996-2005. Many of the situations from the show are based on the real-life experiences of Romano, creator/producer Phil Rosenthal and the show's writing team.

In an episode from the sixth season, armed with research and much preparation, Ray is ready to speak with his daughter Ally about the “facts of life” only to find that Ally's interest has changed from where babies come from to one Ray is not expecting.

Sky and Water I (1938)

• M.C Escher woodcut Sky and Water I is an example of tessellation used in art.

Can you count the number of fish and birds?

The False Mirror (1928)

• Conceived by Belgian surrealist Rene Margritte is meant to provoke thought and challenge perceptions of what is reality.

• Does this image offer a humorous view of reality?

The Persistence of Memory (1931)

• Painted by Salvador Dali in 1931, it is one of his most famous works. It is currently housed in the Museum of Modern Art.

• What thoughts/

observations come to mind as your view this work?

Tokidoki Barbie (2011)• Tokidoki, a Milan fashion

house headed by Italian artist Simone Legno, collaborated with Mattel to put out the doll in 2011.

What messages if any, can be inferred from the design of the doll?

To what degree it is appropriate for a young child to have such a doll?

• Notes: The $50 doll was marketed to adult collectors. Only 7,400 were made.

Untitled (Questions )(1991)

• Barbara Kruger, American postmodernist

What do you think she is saying in this artwork?

Is endorsing or criticizing?

Where would be the best place to put this artwork?