Introduction to Philosophy

ENGLISH = PHILOSOPHIE,
OLD FRENCH =PHILOSOPHIA,
GREEK = PHILOSOPHI,
ARAB = FALSAFAH
Etymology
 φιλοσοφία
Philosophia

"love of wisdom"
 WHAT IS
THE PHILOSOPHY ?

PHILOSOPHIA

PHILIA SOPHOS
PHILOS (♥)
(FRIENDSHIP) (WISDOM)

☻: ♥ER OF WISDOM
PHILOSOPHY IS MOTHER
OF THE COMMON SENSE
philosophy

Our primary concern is to do what is

right and to believe what is true.
Philosophy provides us with some of the
intellectual/conceptual skills we need to
achieve this.
But these skills are difficult to acquire.
THE CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF
FUNDAMENTAL ASSUMPTIONS OR
BELIEFS.
A THOUGHTFUL EXAMINATION OF
REALITY, ESPECIALLY PROBLEMS
INVOLVING IDEALS, TRUTH,
REASON , DISCOURSE, AND DUTY,
ACCOMPANIED BY AN ATTEMPT TO
PUT FIRST THINGS FIRST AND
EXPOSE ILLUSION.
 The Goal of Philosophy:
■ Intellectual Autonomy
 “The freedom of being able to
decide for yourself what you will
believe in by using your own
reasoning abilities.” (Kant)
■ In other words, learn to think for
yourself.
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Philosophy, which literally means the love
of wisdom, begins with wonder about our
most basic beliefs. Its goal is to help us
achieve autonomy by making us more
aware of our own beliefs and encouraging
us to reason and think through issues for
ourselves.
doing philosophy
Philosophy is not merely a matter of developing
and defending one’s own view.
It requires understanding, considering, and giving
fair weight to competing alternative views.
You will often see both of these things going on in
the papers you read.
 It is important to distinguish the philosopher’s own
view from those he/she are arguing against.
 HOW DO WE
PHILOSOPHIZE ?
PHILOSOPHERS ARE MOTIVATED
BY SPECIFIC QUESTIONS SUCH AS:

WHAT IS TRUTH?
HOW OR WHY DO WE IDENTIFY A
STATEMENT AS CORRECT OR
FALSE, AND HOW DO WE REASON?
WHAT IS WISDOM?
 Critical Thinking
■ Education is no prophylactic against
sloppy, erroneous, or misleading
reasoning.

■ In most academic subjects, students

are taught what to think, rather than
how to think.
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 Critical Thinkers Have These Qualities . . .

Open-minded Knowledgeable

Mentally Active Curious

Independent Thinkers Skilled Discussants

Insightful Self-Aware

Creative Passionate
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for Output #2
for Output #3

1.Do guns protect people or kill

people?
2. Is our universe real?
3. Does God exist?
4. Is there life after death?
5. Why do we strive for perfection if it
is not attainable?