1.

3
Areas of Philosophy

The Object of Philosophy

Philosophy investigates the Big Questions.
This means that it is concerned with ultimate
questions about the entire universe.
Nevertheless, these questions can be viewed
from different perspectives and philosophy has
developed several branches that approach the
Big Questions differently.

Branches of Philosophy?
1) Metaphysics
2) Epistemology
3) Ethics
4) Logic
5) Aesthetics

Metaphysics
The branch of philosophy that deals with the
first principles of things, including abstract
concepts such as being, knowing, identity, time,
and space
It investigates the existence of the universe and
the reality of ALL things in it.

Metaphysics
Questions:
How did the universe come into existence?
What is existence and non-existence?
What KINDS of things exists in the universe?
Does God exist? Do souls exist?

Epistemology
Epistemology investigates KNOWWLEDGE.
The study of knowledge or what is worthy of
belief by a rational person
Questions:
What does it mean to know?
What can we know?
What is the difference between knowing and
believing?

Epistemology
Questions:
How do you know that you know?
How much evidence does one need for a
belief to be considered knowledge?

Ethics
Ethics studies what actions are morally right and
wrong.
Questions:
Is there a right and wrong?
Is right and wrong the same for everyone?
What makes an action morally right and
wrong?
How can we know what is morally right or
wrong in any given situation?

Aesthetics
Is the philosophy of art
Aesthetic means concerned with beauty
Questions:
What is beauty?
What is beautiful and what is ugly?
Does music belong in the same category as
art?
Is graffiti considered art?

Logic
Logic studies right reasoning and
argumentation.
Questions:
Do all claims have a truth value?
What is an argument?
What is a good and bad argument?

Other Branches
Aesthetics (Philosophy of
Art and Beauty)

Philosophy of History
Political Philosophy
Philosophy of Psychology
Philosophy of Race and
Ethnicity
Philosophy of Science
Philosophy of Mind
Philosophy of Religion

Philosophy of Education
Philosophy of
Mathematics
Philosophy of Law
Philosophy of Language
Existentialism
Phenomenology
Pragmatism

Philosophy is the study of the ULTIMATE

Philosophy studies that which is ultimate.
It asks the most radical question in any area of
research.
Its questions go beyond the established areas of
research.
It probes underneath,
It unveils assumptions other disciplines work off of.

What Philosophy is

What Philosophy Is Not

Committed to solving
problems in an analytical
and logical matter

Argumentative and being

fussy

Committed to reasoned,
respectful argument

Impractical

Dedicated to seeking
answers to important
questions

Accepting of common sense

beliefs and opinions

Committed to honesty and

truth
A journey toward wisdom
and understanding

Father of Philosophy
Socrates (469-399 BCE)
Character in Platos
Dialogues

Plato (427-347 BCE)