Understanding

Philosophy:
The Value
Philosophy
GROUP 6
Intended Learning Outcomes
 State the value of epistemology to the individual;
 Explain the relevance of logic the individual;
 Identify the value of ethics to the individual; and
 Explicate the value of metaphysics to the individual.
Value of
Epistemology
to the
Individual
Epistemology - definition
 Gk: “Episteme” – knowledge + “Logos” - reason
 Seeks to answer questions concerning the possibility of knowledge and how
knowledge claims can be justified.
 Basic Task: quest for certainty of knowledge – without this, it becomes
difficult to make a distinction between a true state of affairs and one that is
misconceived.
Epistemology vs Justified True
Belief
 Knowledge has been defined as ‘Justified True Belief’, meaning that when a
person claims to know something, he or she must be justified in knowing it, the
claim must be true and that person must believe the claim.
 Epistemology taught us to move beyond Justified True Belief in search for a
fourth condition that would lead to certainty.
Values of Epistemology to the
Individual
1) It Takes Away Fear and Gives Us Better Understanding of Our World.
2) Epistemology Inspires the Individual to Self-Examination
3) Epistemology Helps Us to Form the Right Questions and Opinions about
the World.
Value of
Logic to the
Individual
Logic - definition
 Gk: “Logos” – reason
 Deals with the study of basic principles, techniques or methods for evaluating
arguments.
 Totality of all the laws guiding human thoughts
 The principles guiding the operations of a mechanism
Values of Logic to the Individual
 Logic itself is the basis on which philosophy thrives.
 Analogy – Philosophy: reasoning :: Logic :: study of the proper way to reason
 Any person or society that rejects logical or sound philosophical principles
runs into chaos and disorder – Therefore logic helps individual to escape chaos
and disorder
Values of Logic to the Individual
 Further relevance of Logic to individual
1. Enhances Problem Solving Ability and Saves Time
2. Enhances Reasoning Ability
3. Helps the Individual to Avoid Unnecessary Conflicts
Value of
Ethics to the
Individual
Ethics - definition
 Gk: “Ethos” – morality
 Also known as moral philosophy – prescribes how men ought to behave and
live the ‘good life’
 a code or set of principles by which men live.
Ethics – definition (cont.)
Has a very close link with morality – can be traced to when humans started
living in societies and began to distinguish between acceptable or unacceptable
ways to relate with each other that developed into:
• customs
• ways of life constitute the interest and
subject matter of ethics
• codes of conduct of people
Values of Ethics to the Individual
 Guides the way we make moral judgments about anything.
 Other ways ethics is valuable:
1. Ethics Prescribe the Standard for Peaceful Co-existence
2. The Study of Ethics helps us to be Humane in Our Actions
3. Application of Ethical Principles is Therapeutic to the Individual
Value of
Metaphysics
to the
Individual
Metaphysics - definition
 Gk: “Meta” – after + “Physika” – physics or transcending the physical
 Deals with fundamental questions about the nature of reality
- what lies beyond what is visibly available to the senses
 attempts to furnish us with knowledge of the physical reality and a reality
transcending the world of science, common sense or the phenomenal world
Values of Metaphysics to the
Individual
 its ability to evaluate and furnish us with the knowledge of reality
 Other ways metaphysics is valuable:
1. Exposes Man to the Fact that His Very Nature is Metaphysical
2. Prepares an Individual for the Responsibilities and uncertainties of life
3. Helps in the Clarification of our Thoughts and Belief
Summary
 its ability to evaluate and furnish us with the knowledge of reality
 Other ways metaphysics is valuable:
1. Exposes Man to the Fact that His Very Nature is Metaphysical
2. Prepares an Individual for the Responsibilities and uncertainties of life
3. Helps in the Clarification of our Thoughts and Belief