PHILOSOPHY
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Lesson 3 -
The divisions of Philosophy
A little Logic Part 1
The divisions of philosophy

Objectives:
-
You will understand the major divisions
under which philosophical issues and
problems are discussed
-
The classification of particular issues
under their appropriate divisions
-
The definition of basic logic
terminology
I. Branches of Philosophy
1. Metaphysics
Deals with matters of reality and existence.
Divided into 4 basic question areas.
- Cosmological – the study of origins
- Theological – deals with reality of
supernatural beings
- Anthropological – basic nature questions
of what makes man
- Ontological – deals with questions of our
existence
I. Branches of Philosophy
2. Epistimology
Deals with the investigation of knowledge and
truth claims
- What does it mean to know something?
- What is truth?
- Can I really know something?
Epistimology builds on metaphysics – your
metaphysics system is what determines your
reality
I. Branches of Philosophy
3.Axiology
What is value or good?
There are two areas to examine here:
- Ethics (what is right or wrong? Is there
such a thing as morality? What do we do
with moral rules?
- Aesthetics – deals with issues of art
(beauty and ugliness. Why is this art and
that not? Is there meaning in art? Should
art reflect reality?)
I. Branches of Philosophy
4.Miscelleneous Branches
Social and political philosophy
Philosophy of religion
History of philosophy
Philosophy of history
Philosophy of science

II. Logic
Logic is not so much a branch of philosophy but something
you use. There are different kinds of logic.
Definition – Logic reflects
upon the nature of thinking
itself.
-
-
Philosophy is thinking about things
Logic is how do we think about things.
Logic is the tool or methodology of doing philosophy. You
cannot do philosophy without logic.
All branches depend on the laws of logic
II. Logic
Important terminology
1.
Thinking – any mental activity
2.
Reasoning – the producing of reasons as
evidence or support for certain conclusions we
wish to establish…(not assertions)
3.
Argument – a group of reasons that lead to a
conclusion
4.
Validity – the structure of an argument
5.
True/False – refers to the quality of the reasons
6.
Sound argument
II. Logic
The laws of logic
These are the foundations for reason. There is
never an exemption on these laws. They are
undeniable.
1.
The law of non-contradiction – something
cannot both be and not be at the same time and
in the same respect.
2.
The law of excluded middle – something
either is or is not
3.
The law of identity – Something is what it is
The Camels
 Four tasmanian camels traveling on a very narrow ledge
encounter four tasmanian camels coming the other way.
 As everyone knows, tasmanian camels never go
backwards, especially when on a precarious ledge. The
camels will climb over each other, but only if there is a
camel sized space on the other side.
 The camels didn't see each other until there was only
exactly one camel's width between the two groups.
 How can all camels pass, allowing both groups to go on
their way, without any camel reversing?
Solution: First a camel from one side moves forward, then two camels from the other side move forwar
etc...
Here are three examples of verbal logical reasoning questions.
Choose one correct answer for each question:
a. If there are no dancers that aren’t slim and no singers that
aren’t dancers, then which statements are always true?
There is not one slim person that isn't a dancer



All singers are slim
Anybody slim is also a singer
None of the above

Answer:

The tricky part of this question is that it is
phrased negatively. This means that we have to
identify the nature of each group initially and
establish the relationship between the groups.
Once the illustration is made, the relationship
between the groups becomes clearer. The only
true statement is that all singers are slim.
The answer is 'All singers are slim'.

Dan is Joshua's son and Guy's brother.
Margaret is Guy's mother and Judy's
daughter. Which of the statements below
are true?




Judy is Dan's mother-in-law
Margaret is Dan's mother
Judy is Joshua's grandmother
None of the above

Answer:

Dan and Guy are siblings, (not half brothers or
step-brothers) and therefore Margaret, who
is Guy's mother, is also Dan's mother.
The answer is 'Margaret is Dan's mother'.


After a local art theft, six suspects were being interviewed.
Below is a summary of their statements.
Police know that exactly four of them told one lie each and all of the
other statements are true.
From this information can you tell who committed the crime?
Alan said:
Dave said:
It wasn't Brian
It wasn't Alan
It wasn't Dave
It wasn't Freddie
It wasn't Eddie
It wasn't Charlie
Brian said:
It wasn't Alan
It wasn't Charlie
It wasn't Eddie
Charlie said:
It wasn't Brian
It wasn't Freddie
It wasn't Eddie
Eddie said:
It wasn't Charlie
It wasn't Dave
It wasn't Freddie
Freddie said:
It wasn't Charlie
It wasn't Dave
It wasn't Alan

Answer: Charlie committed the crime.
If any other person had committed the crime
there would not be exactly 4 lies told.