Philosophy; Questions and Theories An Introduction HZT4U

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Philosophy Questions and TheoriesAn
IntroductionHZT4U
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So What Is Philosophy?

• There is no easy answer to this question.
• The shortest definition, writes contemporary
  theorist Anthony Quinton is that philosophy is
  thinking about thinking.
• Every dictionary and philosopher will differ in
  explaining or defining philosophy. When the
  word philosophy is examined literally from its
  Greek origins
• philein, meaning to love
• sophia meaning wisdom
• Philosophy therefore can be understood as being
  the search for wisdom.

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What is Philosophy?

• Philosophy studies the fundamental nature of
  existence, of man, and of mans relationship to
  existence In the realm of cognition, the special
  sciences are the trees, but philosophy is the
  soil which makes the forest possible.
• Ayn Rand, Philosophy, Who
  Needs It (p. 2)

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Know yourself

• A philosophy is a comprehensive system of ideas
  about human nature and the nature of the reality
  we live in. It is a guide for living, determining
  the course we take in life and how we treat other
  people.

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The Difference between Science and Philosophy

• Lucas Cranach, Hand mit Apfel (1528)

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3 Modes of Knowing

• Science The study of the proximate causes of
  things. Resolved via sensation.
• Philosophy The study of the ultimate causes of
  things. Resolved via reason.
• Theology Faith seeking understanding. Resolved
  through scriptures, revealed truths

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Science and Philosophy

• Biology the study of living things and their
  properties.
• What is the cause of cancer?
• What is the cause of the leafs green color?

• Philosophy of Biology
• What does it mean to live?
• What makes matter living?
• What are the properties of living things?

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Science and Philosophy

• Physics the study of matter and energy and their
  interactions.
• What is the speed of light?
• If we drop two metal balls of different weight
  from a building, which one will land first?

• Philosophy of Physics
• What is matter?
• What is motion?
• What is time?

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Science and Philosophy

• Psychology The study of human behavior.
• What is the cause of schizophrenia?
• What is the cause of depression?
• How do humans behave under stress?

• Philosophy of Human Nature
• What does it mean to be a man? A woman?
• What is intelligence?
• How are we to act? (Moral Philosophy)

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What is your philosophy?

• Biggest problem in the world
• Changes that need to be made in the world
• What inspires you
• What you value most about life
• What fears, biases, prejudices do you have
• What you need to hear to know that a person is
  okay and can be trusted

• These are ontological questions (the
  philosophical study of the nature of being,
  existence, or reality, as well as the basic
  categories of being and their relations).
• Answering these questions is the first step in
  identifying your philosophy.

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Pop Culture and Philosophy Everybody Loves
Raymond

• Everybody Loves Raymond ran on CBS from
  1996-2005. Many of the situations from the show
  are based on the real-life experiences of Romano,
  creator/producer Phil Rosenthal and the show's
  writing team.
• In an episode from the sixth season, armed
  with research and much preparation, Ray is ready
  to speak with his daughter Ally about the facts
  of life only to find that Ally's interest has
  changed from where babies come from to one Ray is
  not expecting.

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Sky and Water I (1938)

• M.C Escher woodcut Sky and Water I is an example
  of tessellation used in art.
• Can you count the number of fish and birds?

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The False Mirror (1928)

• Conceived by Belgian surrealist Rene Margritte is
  meant to provoke thought and challenge
  perceptions of what is reality.
• Does this image offer a humorous view of reality?

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The Persistence of Memory (1931)

• Painted by Salvador Dali in 1931, it is one of
  his most famous works. It is currently housed in
  the Museum of Modern Art.
• What thoughts/
• observations come to mind as your view this
  work?

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Tokidoki Barbie (2011)

• Tokidoki, a Milan fashion house headed by Italian
  artist Simone Legno, collaborated with Mattel to
  put out the doll in 2011.
• What messages if any, can be inferred from
  the design of the doll?
• To what degree it is appropriate for a young
  child to have such a doll?
• Notes The 50 doll was marketed to adult
  collectors. Only 7,400 were made.

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Untitled (Questions )(1991)

• Barbara Kruger, American postmodernist
• What do you think she is saying in this
  artwork?
• Is endorsing or criticizing?
• Where would be the best place to put this
  artwork?

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