Philosophy “In a Nutshell”

An introduction to some of the branches of philosophy, the questions they ask, and the perspectives shaped by certain answers given...

Philosophy “In a Nutshell”

• Philosophy is literally the “Love of Wisdom”

• It is the love of questioning

• More specifically, it’s the

• “Rational and critical inquiry into life’s most basic, or most essential questions”

The “nutshell” has a top and a bottom half…

Each “view” responds to different questions, and the questions relate to different fields of philosophic inquiry:

Each “view” responds to different questions, and the questions relate to different fields of philosophic inquiry:

Is the study of the Prescriptive Principles used to discern right from wrong.

Each “view” responds to different questions, and the questions relate to different fields of philosophic inquiry:

Is the study of the Prescriptive Principles used to discern right from wrong.

These principles are often derived from specific worldviews

Each “view” responds to different questions, and the questions relate to different fields of philosophic inquiry:

Are formed by responding to questions of….

EPISTEMOLOGY: “How do I Know?”

METAPHYSICS: “What is Real?”

Each “view” responds to different questions, and the questions relate to different fields of philosophic inquiry:

Are formed by responding to questions of….

ETHICAL SYSTEMS: “What is the Good?”

Each “view” responds to different questions, and the questions relate to different fields of philosophic inquiry:

Are formed by responding to questions of….

ETHICAL SYSTEMS: “What is the Good?”

There are many different systems of determining right from wrong, and those systems often conflict...

Each “view” responds to different questions, and the questions relate to different fields of philosophic inquiry:

Are formed by responding to questions of….

ETHICAL SYSTEMS: “What is the Good?”

…yet most systems have the same CRITERIA: a prescriptive system should be Objective, Rational, Clear-cut and Impartial.

Further, it should be Consistent with the World-view it is founded on.

There are three major CATEGORIES for classifying the different views...

There are three major CATEGORIES for classifying the different views...

ScientificMaterialism

Scientific Materialism

According to this view, “what is Real” is ultimately that which is Physical. The world is known via our sensory experience. Reality is measurable,

predictable, and controllable.

ScientificMaterialism

Spiritualism

ScientificMaterialism

Spiritualism

According to this view, there is something both above and beyond the physical. In addition to knowing the world through our senses we have

intuitive knowledge of the soul and the spiritual, or through revelation

ScientificMaterialism

Idealism \Realism

Spiritualism

ScientificMaterialism

Idealism \Realism

Spiritualism

This view asserts that ultimately, anything that is

known is know via the mind, and that the truths of the mind (ex.: 2+2=4) are more certain than

knowledge of either the senses or intuition

…and there are three major corresponding CATEGORIES for the different ethical views...

ScientificMaterialism

Idealism \Realism

Spiritualism

…and there are three major corresponding CATEGORIES for the different ethical views...

Utilitarianism

ScientificMaterialism

Idealism \Realism

Spiritualism

Utilitarianism

ScientificMaterialism

Idealism \Realism

Spiritualism

This view contends thatThe Good rests with finding the greatest amount of Pleasure for the greatest number of people. In the material world, pleasure

is the common denominator

…and there are three major corresponding CATEGORIES for the different ethical views...

Utilitarianism Natural Law

ScientificMaterialism

Idealism \Realism

Spiritualism

Utilitarianism Natural Law

ScientificMaterialism

Idealism \Realism

Spiritualism

One does not need to be Spiritual to adopt the principles of Natural Law, but this view argues that the design

for what is Good is imprinted in Nature. Reason needs only interpret

nature to find “good” principles

…and there are three major corresponding CATEGORIES for the different ethical views...

Utilitarianism Kant’sDeontology

Natural Law

ScientificMaterialism

Idealism \Realism

Spiritualism

…and there are three major corresponding CATEGORIES for the different ethical views...

Utilitarianism Kant’sDeontology

Natural Law

ScientificMaterialism

Idealism \Realism

Spiritualism While Kant claims that ethics should not be

dependent on a particular worldview, his “duty based” ethical theory is rooted in logic and language, and is in line with an Idealistic

perspective. Simply put, the Good is that which is good for everyone. The Good is that which is

“uninversalizable”

Simple Analogies:

Studying Philosophy is like a third grader learning about grammar: they already know how to speak correctly be fore they learn WHY it is correct

Choosing a Worldview/Ethical view is a lot like choosing a Political party; which view more closely matches your own? While a voter may cross-vote, or even change parties, they do so for deliberate reasons, not arbitrary ones

Studying the world this way is like observing a sport (ex: Cricket!) and trying to figure out what the rules are by observation and critical thinking alone (no pre-given explanations, no guide book!)

So… What’s YOUR view?

• What views are held by your colleagues?• What happens when views conflict?• Can you “mix & match”?• Do views change over time?

So… What’s YOUR view?

Quick Review:

• Philosophy -- ultimately is about ways of “looking at” the world. It’s a discipline that studies worldviews.

• Different worldviews are foundations for different Ethical systems or “value systems”.

• Studying ethical systems and their foundations is the first step in thinking critically about ethical conflicts.

• The benefits of studying different ethical perspectives include (a) articulating your own worldview and moral perspective, and (b) broadening your perspective to understand and develop tolerance for differing views.