2 Kinds of Philosophy
1. Presenting a world view#2 is our concern here.
2. Arguing for a particular world view (or part of one)
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Some Boring (But Important) Technical Points
Definition of an argument: a set of statements of which it is claimed that one of those statements (the conclusion) is supported by the others (the premises).**********************************************8E.g., Sydney is in Cape BretonWhen we're analyzing an argument, we're going to adopt the practice of labelling the premises of an argument as P1, P2, ... and the conclusion as C. Hence, the boring argument above becomes.
Cape Breton is in Nova Scotia
Therefore Sydney is in Nova Scotia.P1: Sydney is in Cape BretonTwo Things to Look for in an Argument
P2: Cape Breton is in Nova Scotia
C: Therefore Sydney is in Nova Scotia.1. True Premises
2. Logical StrengthLogical Strength - The premises should support the conclusion (i.e., the conclusion should be likely to be true if the premises are true - the more likely, the better).
Roughly, philosophy can be divided up into four areas.
1. LogicPhilosophy can also be carved up in a way that cuts across these areas, i.e., by the subject of interest about which philosphical questions are to be asked. Some examples:
2. Metaphysics/Ontology - investigates what there is
3. Epistemology/Theory of Knowledge - ingestigates how (and what) we know about what there is
4. Value Theory - e.g., ethics, political philosophy, aesthetics, etc.
Philosophy of Biology*******************************
Philosophy of Physics
Philosophy of Education
Philosophy of Technology
Philosophy of Technology
Asks questions about about how technology affects us as well as ethical questions about what we should do with technology[Philosophy 2801]E.g., Should human cloning be allowed? (Ethical)
How does the internet affect our ways of gathering knowledge about the world? (Epistemological)
Where are 'connected' individuals located? (Metaphysical)
What is real? (Metaphysical)