Introduction to Philosophy
philosophy
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Our primary concern is to do what is right
and to believe what is true.
Philosophy provides us with some of the
intellectual/conceptual skills we need to
achieve this.
But these skills are difficult to acquire.
reading philosophy
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Reading philosophy is not like reading other
sorts of texts.
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It is not simply a matter of memorizing facts.
It involves being able to understand and evaluate
claims (views, positions, theories, analyses, etc.).
That is, it is a matter of understanding the claims
philosophers are arguing for and the reasons they
give for them.
philosophical lingo
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Grasping philosophical concepts is of the
utmost importance to understanding what
philosophers are claiming (and why).
So, you should make sure to identify all terms
or phrases that you do not understand.
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Look them up in the dictionary (or better yet, in a
philosophical dictionary).
If this fails, ask us.
doing philosophy
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Philosophy is not merely a matter of developing and
defending one’s own view.
It requires understanding, considering, and giving fair
weight to competing alternative views.
You will often see both of these things going on in the
papers you read.
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It is important to distinguish the philosopher’s own view
from those he/she are arguing against.
doing philosophy
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Philosophy requires that we consider the rational
implications/consequences of our beliefs.
If you believe that x, then what does that commit you
to? what follows from x?
Often, upon examination, we find that our beliefs lead
us to unacceptable conclusions:
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“Lying is (always) wrong”
“Poor people are just lazy”
“God is omnipotent”
doing philosophy
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Philosophy involves evaluating arguments.
To give an argument for a claim is to give reasons (evidence)
for that claim.
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As this suggests, claims are not the same things as arguments.
What counts as good vs. poor reasons (evidence)?
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Good: Perception/Introspection/Rational
intuition/Reasoning/Empirical data/Expert opinion
Poor: Hearsay/Social conditioning/Popular opinion/Blind faith