Philosophy

Transition Year 2013-2014

Philosophy comes from the Greek word ‘Philosophia’ – meaning ‘love of wisdom’ – therefore, it is the study of knowledge and wisdom itself

Humans have always wondered about the nature of our universe and our place within it

- all philosophy begins in wonder Philosophy aims to make clear the nature of the

universe and the nature and meaning of our lives

What is Philosophy?

Philosophy can be broken up into the following areas:METAPHYSICS

(the study of being and the universe)LOGIC

(the study of reasoning)ETHICS

(the study of moral behaviour)ANTHROPOLOGY

(the study of human nature)EPISTEMOLOGY

(the study of knowledge)SOCIAL & POLITICAL PHILOSOPHY

(the study of liberty, justice, rights and the law)PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGION

(the study of the nature of religion)AESTHETICS

(the study of the nature of art and beauty)

What is Philosophy?

Philosophy has its origins in Greece, in the fifth & sixth centuries BCE

Origins of Philosophy

Humans began to ask deeper questions about the meaning of life

Thinkers like Thales, Heraclitus and Anaximenes began to reflect on our existence

These men became known as the ‘natural’ philosophers or ‘pre-Socratic’ philosophers

Origins of Philosophy

Thales believed everything came from water

Heraclitus believed everything came from fire

Anaximenes believed everything came from air

Origins of Philosophy

As a teenager, you are, by nature, a natural philosopher. During adolescence, you open your minds up to many larger questions – philosophy will aid you in this

You are forced to face the hypocrisy within society and face many difficult moral dilemmas

Philosophy questions the opinions that you are exposed to on a daily basis, from family, friends, teachers, society and the media

You are essentially concerned with the development of your own identity – this is central to philosophy

Why study Philosophy?

Philosophical thinking is good for you. Some people like it and some people do not, but everyone should learn how to do it, because it helps you figure out what life is all about

The goal of studying philosophy is not to identify final answers that everyone should accept, but to explore different answers

Try to take a critical attitude towards all philosophical positions/claims – QUESTION EVERYTHING

Why study Philosophy?

All human beings – consciously or unconsciously – philosophise or have a philosophy of life

Philosophy helps to develop one’s critical thinking skills, which employers look for when seeking new employees

***** Philosophy is central to all subjects in the

Humanities . . .

Why study Philosophy?

History

PHILOSOPHY Theology

Literature & the Arts

Maths & the Sciences

Ancient and Medieval philosophers

SOCRATES PLATO ST. AUGUSTINE

Course Content

The Enlightenment thinkers

DESCARTES LOCKE HEGEL ROUSSEAU

Course Content

The Existentialist & Political thinkers

KIERKEGAARD MARX NIETZSCHE CAMUS

Course Content

Course Content

Ethics: Ethical dilemmas - The Justification of Punishment, Freedom of Expression & Censorship

MILL

There is a Philosophy website, which you can access via the school website: www.preswex.ie – click on ‘Department Sites’ and click on Philosophy

Details of projects, presentations/videos shown in class will be posted on this website

Philosophy website