The Core Branches of Philosophy: Definitions and Key Concepts

Branches of Philosophy: Knowledge and Science

Gnoseology (Theory of Knowledge)

Gnoseology (also known as Gnosiology) or the Theory of Knowledge defines, from a philosophical perspective, what we mean by "knowing." It aims to clarify the origin, nature, and limits of human knowledge.

Epistemology (Theory of Science)

Epistemology is the Theory of Science or Philosophy of Science, mainly due to the modern identification between knowledge and science.

Historical Context of Knowledge Theory

The Theory of Knowledge deals with issues regarding the reliability of reason or senses to provide true knowledge. This discussion can already be found among the main philosophers in Greece, like Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle, and also in the Modern Age, among philosophers like René Descartes, John Locke, or David Hume.

Logic and Philosophy of Language

Logic

Logic is a philosophical discipline responsible for determining the validity or accuracy of our reasoning. Logic tells us, therefore, if the arguments have been made without error, or if they contain some sort of mistake or fallacy instead.

Validity Versus Truth

We must not confuse the validity of an argument with its truth. An argument can be valid even if the premises or the conclusion reached is false or meaningless.

Human Nature, Ethics, and Society

Philosophical Anthropology

Philosophical Anthropology is a branch of philosophy. While Anthropology (broadly defined) is considered a social science that deals with the human being in general, there are certain philosophical issues about human nature that cannot be explained solely through social sciences.

Ethics

Ethics deals with the relationship between human behavior (actions) and moral values. The term “ethics” comes from the Greek word “ethos,” which means something like habit or custom.

Social and Political Philosophy

When we study the life of the human being in society, we consider a number of questions addressed by Social Philosophy. If we focus instead on the power relationships established between human beings, then we are talking about Political Philosophy. As Aristotle famously stated, we are "social animals."

Aesthetics: Art, Beauty, and Value

Aesthetics deals with the world of art and the concept of beauty. It is a reflection on beauty and the diverse artistic manifestations throughout history.

Types of Aesthetic Values

Aesthetic appreciation involves recognizing different types of values:

• Sensory Values: These values of a work of art (or nature) are captured by an aesthetic observer when enjoying the purely sensory characteristics of an object.
• Formal Values: The assessment of sensory values is soon involved in the appreciation of formal values. When we enjoy the quality of tones or brightness of colors, we immediately notice the relationships between those elements.
• Vital Values: Sensory and formal values refer to the elements contained within the artwork itself—the colors and shapes, shades and silences, or the words and their arrangement in a poem.