Introduction: An Overview of Philosophy

Academic Philosophy and its Subdivisions

  1. The Definition: 'Philosophy' - the love of wisdom.

    1. Philia - love, desire

    2. Sophia - wisdom, sound judgement, understanding,

  2. The Subdivisions of Philosophy:

    1. Axiology - The philosophical investigation of Value.

      1. Ethics - What is good (right)?
      2. Aesthetics - Whats is beauty?
      3. Politics - What is justice?

    2. Epistemology - The philosophical investigation of Knowledge.

      1. What is knowledge?
      2. Can we have knowledge?
      3. How do we get knowledge?

    3. Metaphysics - The philosophical investigation of Reality.

      1. Ontology - The theory of being.
      2. Abstract Entities - The ontology of Universals.
      3. Philosophy of Religion - The nature of God.

    4. Logic - The philosophical investigation of Reason.

      1. What is an argument?
      2. What makes an argument work?
      3. What makes an argument fail?

    5. History of Philosophy - The philosophical investigation of the origin and development of ideas.

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