A. What is philosophy?

Literal: philo - to love; sophia - wisdom

General: universals

Operational: what it does

B. Branches

Metaphysics

Theories concerning the ultimate nature of reality

      Ontology

Theories of being

Epistemology

Theories of knowledge: what can we know and how can we know

Theories:

(1) empiricism: all knowledge is derived from experience - a posteriori

(2) rationalism: some knowledge is independent of experience - it is derived from reason (the mind) itself - a priori

Logic

Theories concerning the relationships of propositions (statements)

(1) premises

(2) conclusion

Axiology

Theories of value

Branches:

Aesthetics

Social and Political Philosophy

Ethics

A. Terminology

morality: mores

ethics: ethos

B. Components (elements)

         form: rational

         content: values - norms/standards

C. Ethics v. Religion

1. Religion: df.

2. Religion vis-à-vis Ethics

similarities: content

differences: form

D. Types of Ethics

1. Descriptive Ethics

Explores the ethical practices of people in different societies and in different groups within a society: seeks to know how people actually behave and what ethical beliefs they hold

Not philosophy

2. Normative Ethics

Attempts to generate or identify the norms or standards of right behavior
     - The bases of moral evaluations

Types of theories:

(1) Virtue - qualities of actor
(2) Deontological - intrinsic goodness/badness of act
(3) Consequentialism - consequences of act
       

3. Meta-Ethics (critical ethics)

Focuses on the nature of ethical concepts and the justification of normative theories

Problems dealt with:

- meaning, nature & origin of ethical concepts

    > cognitivism / non-cognitivism

- methodology

- knowledge

        4.  Applied Ethics

Ethical theory applied to specific areas of human existence and concern
- Medicine, Sex, Business, Sports, etc.