Philosophy is the investigation of fundamental issues
by rational argument

Outline

1. Nature of Philosophy
2. Subject Matter of Philosophy
3. Philosophic Method
4. Philosophic Mindset
5. The Importance of Philosophy

Nature of Philosophy

• Philosophy is the investigation of fundamental issues by rational argument.

• It’s defined by:
  • Its subject matter: any fundamental issue.
    • Subjects such as Ethics, Statistics, Theology and Religion, History, Science, Persons, Law, Mathematics, Time and Space, Knowledge, Evidence, Probability, Political Systems
  • Its method: the use of logic to evaluate theses and arguments.
    • Logic is the study of the principles and methods of valid reasoning.
  • Its mindset: skepticism.
    • Skepticism is the disposition to believe based only on the evidence and arguments.

Subject Matter of Philosophy

Any Fundamental Issue

• The subject matter of philosophy is any fundamental issue.
• Britannica Western Philosophy
  • “[Philosophy] has no explicitly designated subject matter of its own but is a method or type of mental operation (like science or history) that can take any area or subject matter or type of experience as its object.”

Traditional Branches

• Epistemology is the investigation of knowledge and rational belief.
  • View Epistemology
• Metaphysics is the investigation of basic questions about reality.
  • View Metaphysics
• Logic is the study of the principles and methods of valid reasoning.
  • View Logic
• Ethics is the investigation of right and wrong, good and bad, and what should be done.
  • View Ethics

Philosophies of [Topic]

• The subject matter of philosophy has diversified from the traditional branches into groups of issues under the heading Philosophies of [Topic].
• For example:

Philosophic Method

• The method of philosophy is the use of the tools of logic to evaluate theses and arguments.
• Logic is the study of the principles and methods of valid reasoning.
  • View Logic
• A thesis is a proposition set forth as true.
  • For example, that souls exist, that human beings have free will, and that testimonial evidence never justifies the belief that a miracle has occurred.
• An argument is an instance of reasoning, from premises to a conclusion.
  • View Arguments
• Founded by Aristotle, Logic has become more and more sophisticated over the centuries, with an emphasis on clarity and precision, a better understanding of language, and the development of formal methods.
  • View Contemporary Analytic Philosophy

Philosophic Mindset

• Two conflicting drivers of belief:
  • The disposition to believe based on the evidence and arguments;
  • The disposition to believe what you want to be true.
    • View Why People Have Irrational Beliefs
• The philosophic mindset is the first of these.
  • View Skepticism

The Importance of Philosophy

• Millions of Americans believe that Joe Biden was not legitimately elected president in 2020.
  • View The Big Lie
• Yet, based on the evidence and arguments, it’s beyond a reasonable doubt that Biden’s election was legitimate.
  • View Legitimacy of Biden’s Win
• Millions of Americans thus believe — irrationally —that a president of the United States won election only because of fraud, a belief on which they may act, doing things such as voting, donating time and money, or storming the Capitol.
• Philosophy is important because its mindset (skepticism) and method (the use of logic) are the best way to combat irrationality.