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Quite literally, the term "philosophy" means, "love of wisdom." In a broad sense, philosophy is an activity people undertake when they seek to understand fundamental truths about themselves, the world in which they live, and their relationships to the world and to each other.
Remember, there's no right or wrong answer in philosophy. It's all about thinking deeply, understanding different viewpoints, and making connections to our own lives.
Are you interested to extend your philosophical knowlege? There are a number of very engaging podcasts that discuss numerous topics.
Philosophy is a way of thinking about certain subjects such as ethics, thought, existence, time, meaning and value.
That 'way of thinking' involves 4 Rs: responsiveness, reflection, reason and re-evaluation.
The aim is to deepen understanding. The hope is that by doing philosophy we learn to think better, to act more wisely, and thereby help to improve the quality of all our lives.
Types of questions we explore
Types of questions we explore
Who should be in charge? How should we decide?
What is fairness?
What is responsibility?
What is beauty? Who decides?
Are some things absolutely wrong or right, or is it all relative?
Is zero a number?
What is freedom?
Would you like to live forever if you could?
Are people of equal value?
WHAT IS PHILOSOPHY?
WHAT IS PHILOSOPHY?
In its simplest form, philosophy is the study of questions about existence, knowledge, morals, values, reason, the mind, and language itself. While the field of general philosophy is broad, it can be broken down into several smaller and more digestible fields of study, including metaphysics, epistemology, logic, ethics, and aesthetics.
Human history is rich in philosophical thought, dating back to the ancient Greeks and Chinese, where thinkers like Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, and Confucius began to ask questions about our place in the world, and the very world itself. For the ancient Greeks, philosophy was not simply a field of study, but a practical life skill that could lead its practitioners to happiness and flourishing.
TIMELINE of WESTERN PHILOSOPHERS - Placing thought with thinking of the time.
INVENTIONS OF THE 17th AND 18TH CENTURIES
Why is it important that the student of philosophy places the Philosopher in context of time and place?
WHO IS A PHILOSOPHER?...... Richard Gilmore notes (in Doing Philosophy at the Movies, 2005, p.26), “The philosopher is one who necessarily stands outside of society, but he or she does so for the sake of society.” He goes on to say that “The philosopher must stand outside of society in order to understand the forces that impinge upon us as members of a society, of a community. From inside we do not see: we conform and abide. It is only by going outside that one gets a perspective on what those forces are that demand conformity and abiding” (p.26). So a philosopher must invariably be somewhat separate from the society they comment on if they hope to be in a position of the ‘informed outsider’.
A philosopher is someone who engages in the study of fundamental questions about existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language. They seek to understand the nature of reality and the human experience by critically examining beliefs and concepts. Pursuing a degree in philosophy can be beneficial for several reasons:
Critical thinking: Philosophy teaches you to think critically, analyze complex ideas, and construct sound arguments.
Ethical reasoning: It helps you develop ethical reasoning skills and the ability to engage in moral and ethical debates.
Broad perspective: Philosophy provides a broad understanding of various worldviews, cultures, and historical contexts.
Communication skills: It hones your ability to articulate complex ideas and engage in meaningful dialogue.
Career versatility: A degree in philosophy can lead to diverse career paths, including law, business, education, and public service.
Studying philosophy can also enrich your personal life by fostering a deeper understanding of the world and your place in it.
Raphael’s fresco The School of Athens has come to symbolize the marriage of art, philosophy, and science that was a hallmark of the Italian Renaissance. Painted between 1509 and 1511, it is located in the first of the four rooms designed by Raphael, the Stanza della Segnatura.
Examine Raohael's painting 'The School of Athens' to familiarise yourself with a few of the Ancient Philosopher's names.
What school of thought does each philosopher align themselves with according to Raphael?
School of Athens l Immersive Experience (4K) listen while observing the painting 'The School of Athens"
What can studying Raphael's 'The School of Athens' tell us about the society of the time?
What does 'Renaissance' mean? How does the Renaissance link to philosophy?
What significance is the location of the fresco?
Raphael has used one point perspective to create this painting. What power does this play in the narrative?
What does the division of philosophers in either side of Plato and Aristotle tell us?
What side is Socrates on?
What side is Raphael himself on?
Aristole studies biology? He wrote about classification of species. How did this differ from the thinking of FORMS exclaimed by PLATO?
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