Major Branches of

Philosophy
Ceniza, Mar Antero R.
METAPHYSICS EPISTEMOLOGY
GOD
SOUL Truth Knowledge Belief

PHILOSOPHY
RIGHT
REASONING WRONG
LOGIC ETHICS
 METAPHYSICS =Foundation of Philosophy
Meta Physika
(Beyond/After) (Physical/Nature) Aristotle called
it as the first
Study of things beyond the physical;
concepts or things that cannot be
Philosophy.
experienced.
Ex. God, Freedom, Soul, Love…

General Metaphysics/ Ontology

Special Metaphysics
-Cosmology
-Psychology or Anthropology
-Natural Theology or Theodicy
 ONTOLOGY Heraclitus Logos is
reason or the
underlying principle
Onto Logos of all that is.
(Being/that which is) (Knowledge or Study)
=studies beings in their ultimate causes, reasons and principles
through the aid of reason alone.
=studies the essence of all things.
BASIC QUESTIONS IN ONTOLOGY
-What is being?
-Why do things exist, rather than not exist?
-What is the meaning and nature of reality?
-What is the underlying principle of all things?
-Is there nothing?
SPECIAL METAPHYSICS Studies of the world
(or universe)
Kosmos =world including its origin,
dynamics, and
COSMOLOGY
characteristics, as well
Logos =study as the laws that
govern its order.
BASIC QUESTIONS IN COSMOLOGY
-What is the origin of the world?
-Why is the basic material of which the world is formed?
-How do things arise?
-In what consists its fundamental form or principle of order?
-Is the world or universe infinite?
 Study of the nature and
Psyche =soul dynamics of the human
PSYCHOLOGY =mind person as a whole with
emphasis on the way the
Logos =study person’s mind functions
and the way he behaves
BASIC QUESTIONS IN PSYCHOLOGY
-What is the nature of the human person?
-Is there such thing as human nature?
-What is the meaning and purpose, if any, of life?
-Is there life after death?
-How do we account for the existence of sufferings in the
world?
 THEODICY Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz

theos =God
Study of God
Justification of the goodness of God in
the face of the existence of evil
BASIC QUESTIONS IN THEODICY
-Is there God?
-What and who is God, if He exists at all? 1710 work:
-How do we prove the existence of God?
Theodicee
-If God exists, how do we justify the existence of evil and suffering in the
world?
-Does a belief in God really necessary?
 Episteme =knowle Study of the
nature and scope
EPISTEMOLOGY dge of knowledge and
justified belief
Logos =study

BASIC QUESTIONS IN EPISTEMOLOGY

-What is knowledge?
-What do we know?
-How is knowledge acquired?
-What are the structures and limits of knowledge?
-What make justified beliefs justified?
 LOGIC logos=science of correct inferential thinking
Study of the principles and criteria of a valid argument
Distinguish sound or good reasoning from unsound or bad
reasoning

BASIC QUESTIONS IN LOGIC

-What is correct reasoning?
-What distinguishes a good argument from a bad one?
-How can we detect a fallacy in an argument?
-What are the criteria in determining the validity of an argument
-What are the types of logic?
All plants grow. All plants grow.
Rose is a plant. Rose will grow.
Therefore, rose will grow. Therefore, rose is a plant.
VALID and TRUE INVALID and TRUE

All plants grow. All plants grow.

Ice factory is a plant. Ice factory will grow.
Therefore, Ice factory will grow. Therefore, ice factory is a plant.

VALID and FALSE INVALID and FALSE

 ETHICS ETHICS = MORALITY
ethos =custom or habit
Theory Practice
Morality of human actions
How human person ought to act, and the search for
definition of a right conduct, and good life.
BASIC QUESTIONS IN ETHICS
-What is right conduct as that which causes the realization of the greatest good?
-How do we determine a right conduct? In other words, what makes a right
conduct right?
-What is good life and can we attain it?
-What is the difference between human act and actions that are based on
instinct?
ACTS OF MAN vs. HUMAN ACTS

Involuntary Voluntary

Thirst, Hunger, Fart, What to drink, What to

Beating of the Heart eat, Where to do it,
Who will receive
 NEXT TOPIC: Study

Holistic and Partial Perspective