1. What is philosophy?

- A philosophy is a system of beliefs about reality. It is one's integrated view of the

world. It includes an understanding of the nature of existence, man, and his role in
the world. Philosophy is the foundation of knowledge. It is the standard by which
ideas are integrated and understood.
2. What are the branches of philosophy?

- Metaphysics, which deals with the fundamental questions of reality.

- Epistemology, which deals with our concept of knowledge, how we learn and what
we can know.
- Logic, which studies the rules of valid reasoning and argumentation
- Ethics, or moral philosophy, which is concerned with human values and how
individuals should act.
- Aesthetics or esthetics, which deals with the notion of beauty and the philosophy
of art.

3. What are the 4 methods in doing philosophy?

Doubt and the sense of wonder

Plato said that "philosophy begins in wonder", a view which is echoed by Aristotle:
"It was their wonder, astonishment, that first led men to philosophize and still leads
them." Philosophizing may begin with some simple doubts about accepted beliefs.
The initial impulse to philosophize may arise from suspicion, for example that we do
not fully understand, and have not fully justified, even our most basic beliefs about
the world.

Formulate questions and problems

Another element of philosophical method is to formulate questions to be answered

or problems to be solved. The working assumption is that the more clearly the
question or problem is stated, the easier it is to identify critical issues. A relatively
small number of major philosophers prefer not to be quick, but to spend more time
trying to get extremely clear on what the problem is all about.

Enunciate a solution

Another approach is to enunciate a theory, or to offer a definition or analysis, which

constitutes an attempt to solve a philosophical problem. Sometimes a philosophical
theory by itself can be stated quite briefly. All the supporting philosophical text is
offered by way of hedging, explanation, and argument.

Not all proposed solutions to philosophical problems consist of definitions or

generalizations. Sometimes what is called for is a certain sort of explanation — not a
causal explanation, but an explanation for example of how two different views, which
seem to be contrary to one another, can be held at the same time, consistently. One
can call this a philosophical explanation.

Justify the solution

An argument is a set of statements, one of which (the conclusion), it is said or

implied, follows from the others (the premises). One might think of arguments as
bundles of reasons — often not just a list, but logically interconnected statements —
followed by the claim they are reasons for. The reasons are the premises, the claim
they support is the conclusion; together they make an argument.

Philosophical arguments and justifications are another important part of

philosophical method. It is rare to find a philosopher, particularly in the Western
philosophical tradition, who lacks many arguments. Philosophers are, or at least are
expected to be, very good at giving arguments. They constantly demand and offer
arguments for different claims they make. This therefore indicates that philosophy is
a quest for arguments.

A good argument — a clear, organized, and sound statement of reasons — may

ultimately cure the original doubts that motivated us to take up philosophy. If one is
willing to be satisfied without any good supporting reasons, then a Western
philosophical approach may not be what one actually requires.

4. Cite the importance of studying philosophy.

- Although many people are unconvinced that that philosophy is important, I think
there are good reasons to think it is important. Philosophy can not only help improve
critical thinking skills, but it can help provide us with knowledge of logic that can
greatly help improve critical thinking. Moreover, I do not find the view that
philosophy makes no progress and provides us with no knowledge to be plausible
based on the fact that it seems clear that everyone knows something about at least
one philosophical domain (logic), and some people know more about that domain
than others.

-Gray, 2013
https://ethicalrealism.wordpress.com/the-philosophy-campaign/why-philosophy-
is-important/

Zyrill Arneth F. Gonzales

HUMSS 12 – Education 2
1. What is philosophy?
- Philosophy is not a "Way of Life". Every person does not have his or her own
"Philosophy". Philosophy is not simply a theory about something, nor is Philosophy
a belief or a wish, Philosophy is an activity: a quest after wisdom. Philosophy is an
activity of thought. Philosophy is a particular unique type of thought or style of
thinking. Philosophy is not to be confused with its product. What a philosopher
provides is a body of philosophic thought NOT a Philosophy. A philosopher enacts a
Philosophy, a quest after wisdom.
2. What are the branches of philosophy?

 -Metaphysics, which deals with the fundamental questions of reality.

 Epistemology, which deals with our concept of knowledge, how we learn and
what we can know.
 Logic, which studies the rules of valid reasoning and argumentation
 Ethics, or moral philosophy, which is concerned with human values and how
individuals should act.
 Aesthetics or esthetics, which deals with the notion of beauty and the
philosophy of art.

3. What are the 4 methods in doing philosophy?

-Doubt and the sense of wonder

Plato said that "philosophy begins in wonder", a view which is echoed by Aristotle:
"It was their wonder, astonishment, that first led men to philosophize and still leads
them." Philosophizing may begin with some simple doubts about accepted beliefs.
The initial impulse to philosophize may arise from suspicion, for example that we do
not fully understand, and have not fully justified, even our most basic beliefs about
the world.

-Formulate questions and problems

Another element of philosophical method is to formulate questions to be answered

or problems to be solved. The working assumption is that the more clearly the
question or problem is stated, the easier it is to identify critical issues. A relatively
small number of major philosophers prefer not to be quick, but to spend more time
trying to get extremely clear on what the problem is all about.

-Enunciate a solution

Another approach is to enunciate a theory, or to offer a definition or analysis, which

constitutes an attempt to solve a philosophical problem. Sometimes a philosophical
theory by itself can be stated quite briefly. All the supporting philosophical text is
offered by way of hedging, explanation, and argument.
Not all proposed solutions to philosophical problems consist of definitions or
generalizations. Sometimes what is called for is a certain sort of explanation — not a
causal explanation, but an explanation for example of how two different views, which
seem to be contrary to one another, can be held at the same time, consistently. One
can call this a philosophical explanation.

-Justify the solution

An argument is a set of statements, one of which (the conclusion), it is said or

implied, follows from the others (the premises). One might think of arguments as
bundles of reasons — often not just a list, but logically interconnected statements —
followed by the claim they are reasons for. The reasons are the premises, the claim
they support is the conclusion; together they make an argument.

Philosophical arguments and justifications are another important part of

philosophical method. It is rare to find a philosopher, particularly in the Western
philosophical tradition, who lacks many arguments. Philosophers are, or at least are
expected to be, very good at giving arguments. They constantly demand and offer
arguments for different claims they make. This therefore indicates that philosophy is
a quest for arguments.

A good argument — a clear, organized, and sound statement of reasons — may

ultimately cure the original doubts that motivated us to take up philosophy. If one is
willing to be satisfied without any good supporting reasons, then a Western
philosophical approach may not be what one actually requires.

4. Cite the importance of studying philosophy.

-Philosophy is a necessary product of man's rational mind. To live, man must gain
knowledge of the world. To understand the world, man must form conclusions about
its very nature. For instance, to gain knowledge of particular objects, man must
recognize that objects have identity. He must recognize that conclusions are
possible because the world does exist, and exists in a particular way.

Philosophy provides the framework for which man can understand the world. It
provides the premises by which man can discover truth, and use his mind to support
his life. Every man has an understanding of the world. Every man must have a
philosophy, even if it is never made explicit.

- http://www.importanceofphilosophy.com/Epistemology_Philosophy.html