Philosophy
...literally means love of (philo) wisdom (sophia) and uses the skills of logic and reasoning to create and critique arguments.
Branches of Philosophy
The four main branches of philosophy are: Epistemology, Metaphysics, Axiology (Ethics and Aesthetics) and Reasoning.
Epistemology
Branch of philosophy that deals with how we attain knowledge
Metaphysics
Branch of philosophy that includes reality, existence, the universe, and pretty much everything
Ethics
Branch of Axiology dealing with things that are either good/bad or right/wrong
Logic and Reasoning
...are the tools of philosophy and responds to the questions: How do we reason? What is an argument? What is a fallacy? What is a standard form argument? What is critical thinking?
Argument
...includes at least one premise and a conclusion. It can be logical but not make sense, it can be valid but not true but it cannot be invalid and sound.
Standard Form Argument
...is where an argument is broken down into its most basic parts, including: premises and a conclusion. Eg. P1, P2, C. Also known as a 'syllogism'.
Premise Indicators
...terms that indicate a premise in an argument: since, firstly, secondly, for, as, after all, assuming that, in view of the fact that, follows from, as shown / indicated by, may be inferred / deduced / derived from....
Conclusion Indicators
...terms that indicate a conclusion in an argument: therefore, so, it follows that, hence, consequently, suggests / proves / demonstrates that, entails, implies...
Valid Argument
...is be determined whereby IF the premises are true then the conclusion must be true. It does not ask whether or not the premises are true, but just assumes that they are true. It asks whether the argument is logical or not.
Sound Argument
...where the argument is valid and the premises are true. It asks whether the argument is true or not.
Valid Deductive Argument
...follows the formula:
All H are A.
All A are F.
Therefore, all H are F.
Five Ways to Evaluate an Argument
Show the argument depends on a false premise.
Show one of the premise has not been established.
Show that the premises do not guarantee the truth of the conclusion.
Show that the premises do not provide sufficient evidence for the conclusion.
Show that there is a better, more likely conclusion than the one given.
Axiology
the philosophical study of value. It includes ethics and aesthetics
Cosmology
the science of the origin and development of the universe
Ontology
the branch of metaphysics dealing with the nature of being
Empiricism
the theory that all knowledge is derived from sense-experience.
Rationalism
the theory that reason rather than experience is the foundation of certainty in knowledge.
Value Theory
Branch of philosophy that pertains to things that people evaluate or determine on their own. There are no "right" answers to philosophical schools in Value Theory
Mr. Dugger
The coolest, best, most glorious teacher of all time!