STUDY UNIT 1: NO PUN INTENDED

1.5 The Nature of philosophy and what logic is

1.6 The nature of logic (Activity questions 1-2)

Dr L Strydom
2019
What is philosophy and why learn about philosophy?
Watch the YouTube video via the link provided below
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mIYdx6lDDhg

Now ask yourself:

Why did you choose to study law; what is your personal philosophy in this regard?
AND does practicing law not require a deeper than the surface understanding of
how a given society needs to be effectively regulated, along with the need for
everyone's rights to be protected?

The answer is implied in the video, namely YES. You need to practice law with a
deep-centered inquisitiveness and knowledge of the human condition; philosophy
provides the key and makes you think about the way you think …
1.5 THE NATURE OF PHILOSOPHY AND WHAT LOGIC
IS
ANSWERS – INDIVIDUAL ACTIVITY:

1.
The derivation of the word "philosophy" is from the Greek
roots:
philo - love of, affinity for, liking of
As in the words:
philanthropy—love mankind in general
phile—one having a love for, e.g. anglophile
sophia – wisdom
Source: http://philosophy.lander.edu/logic/phil_log.html
1.5 THE NATURE OF PHILOSOPHY AND WHAT LOGIC
IS
ANSWERS – INDIVIDUAL ACTIVITY:

2.
A suggested definition: philosophy is the systematic inquiry
into the principles and presupposition of any field of
inquiry.
Psychologically, philosophy is an attitude, an approach, or
a calling to answer, or to ask, or even to comment upon
certain peculiar problems.
Source: http://philosophy.lander.edu/logic/phil_log.html
1.5 THE NATURE OF PHILOSOPHY AND WHAT LOGIC
IS
ANSWERS – INDIVIDUAL ACTIVITY:

3.
Definition of Presupposition

Based on the idea that something is true, or will happen;

to depend on something to be true or to exists

Source: http://philosophy.lander.edu/logic/phil_log.html
1.5 THE NATURE OF PHILOSOPHY AND WHAT LOGIC
IS
ANSWERS – INDIVIDUAL ACTIVITY:

4.
The Main Branches of Philosophy are divided as to the nature of the
questions asked in each area.

A. Axiology: the study of value; the investigation of its nature,

criteria and metaphysical status.

Self-study: the examples and discussion the linked study guide

content provides. Find the link below.
Source: http://philosophy.lander.edu/logic/phil_log.html
1.5 THE NATURE OF PHILOSOPHY AND WHAT LOGIC
IS
ANSWERS – INDIVIDUAL ACTIVITY:

4.
B. Epistemology: the study of knowledge, in particular, the study of
the nature, scope and limits of human knowledge.
1. The investigation of the origin, structure, methods, and validity of
knowledge.
2. As an example of orders of knowledge, consider the statement
"The earth is round."
Self-study: the examples and discussion the linked study guide
content provides here.
Source: http://philosophy.lander.edu/logic/phil_log.html
1.5 THE NATURE OF PHILOSOPHY AND WHAT LOGIC
IS
ANSWERS – INDIVIDUAL ACTIVITY:

4.
C. Ontology or Metaphysics
The study of what is "really" real. Metaphysics deals with the so-
called first principles of the natural order or the ultimate
generalizations available to the human intellect.

1. What kinds of things exist? How do they exist?

Self-study: the linked study guide content provided under
a-c related to this definition
Source: http://philosophy.lander.edu/logic/phil_log.html
1.5 THE NATURE OF PHILOSOPHY AND WHAT LOGIC
IS
ANSWERS – INDIVIDUAL ACTIVITY:

5.
Logic is the study of the methods and principles used in
distinguishing correct from incorrect reasoning
6.
Logic is usually considered a subdivision of epistemology,
although, of course, logic is used in all areas of philosophy

Source: http://philosophy.lander.edu/logic/phil_log.html
1.6 THE NATURE OF LOGIC
ANSWERS – INDIVIDUAL ACTIVITY:

1.
Source of definitions: www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/

Normative: of, relating to, conforming to, or determining norms or

standards

Prescriptive: Giving exact rules, directions, or instructions about how

you should do something
1.6 THE NATURE OF LOGIC
ANSWERS – INDIVIDUAL ACTIVITY:

2.
Now that you can distinguish between "normative" and
"prescriptive", you should be able to explain the following
statement:

Logic differs from psychology in being a

normative or a prescriptive discipline rather
than a descriptive discipline.
Source: http://philosophy.lander.edu/logic/nature_log.html