Philosophy

Philosophy

1. Logic

   • 'How do we reason?' This branch revolves around examining the scope and nature of logic.
     • Addresses questions about identity, truth, necessity, predication, reference & quantification. It also involves a critical analysis of issues connected to logic and as well as logical techniques to philosophical problems.

2. Ethics

   • 'What is of value?' 'Where do our ethical principles come from?' 'What do they mean?'
     • Can also be seen as moral philosophy.
       • Revolves around defending, recommending, & systematizing concepts of right and wrong behaviour. Answers questions to the issues of universal truth.
         • Sub branches include: metaethics, normative ethics, & applied ethics.
           • Can be applied through controversial issues such as with abortion, animal rights, environment concerns, lgbt, &/or captial punishment.

3. Epistemology

   • 'What does it mean if someone knows, or fails to know, something?' 'How do we know?' 'Are there some things that are unknowable?' 'Are there limits to what we can know?'
     • It is the study of knowledge. It revolves around the nature of knowledge and understanding and also the extent of human knowledge. It is considered to be the "true beginning'.
       • Connected to the truth, belief, justification and skepticism.

4. Metaphysics

   • 'What is real?' It deals with the first principles of things. It also studies the relationships between the mind and matter, and the nature of being and the world.
     • Clarifying fundamental notions, or going through abstract ideas such as existence, cause and effect, possibility, religion, matter, identity, space, time, objects and their properties.
       • These help to make people understand the world better. Central branches would include: Ontology & Cosmology.

5. Politics

   • 'How should societies be governed?' 'What is a persons relationship to society?' 'What makes a government?'
     • Revolves around liberty, justice, rights, property, law, variety forms of government,. It also analyzes and judges the existing relationships and institutions.
       • Can be applied through issues such as: constitutional issues, voting behavior, the balance of power, & the effect of judicial review.
   • Envisions the idea of a good social life, and the set of values and institutions that bring men and women to work together.
     • Related to the philosophy of law and economics.

6. Aesthetics

   • 'What is beauty?' 'What makes something beautiful?' 'Is it a person, culture, or something else?' 'What are the attributes of beauty?'
     • Related to the philosophy of art.
       • Revolves around the nature of beauty. It is seen as difficult and complexed as it provides a very broad and puzzling experience of beauty.
         • We are often under an impression that beauty is of a person and not of arts, entertainment, and culture.
   • Involves an analysis of language, criticism, representation, form, style and expression.