Understanding Philosophy: Core Concepts and Methods

What is Philosophy?

Philosophy is a science that studies theories regarding different aspects of reality. The term originates from philo (love) and sophia (wisdom). Philosophers interpret reality beyond conventional perspectives, maintaining an attitude that encourages critical thinking rather than accepting information at face value.

The Process of Thinking

Thinking involves analyzing reality and constructing abstract concepts. We build mental schemes that allow us to adapt to the world. This requires us to engage with the soul, utilizing words and symbols to interpret reality through ideas.

Forms of Knowledge

• Sensitivity: Knowing through the senses.
• Science: Mathematized knowledge based on rigorous, exacting theories to determine if conclusions are true or false.

Scientific Classifications

• Formal Sciences: Logic (syllogisms) and mathematics. These are possible without resorting to physical reality; their validity is proven internally.
• Empirical/Natural Sciences: Study organic and inorganic matter, requiring observation of reality.
• Social Sciences: Study human beings, society, and culture.

Methodologies and Logic

Deductive Method

Drawing concrete conclusions from abstract theoretical premises.

• Axiom: A foundational belief or affirmation that cannot be proven true.
• Rules of Inference: Axioms related to arrive at new, provable truths.
• Theorems: Ideas derived from axioms that are proven true.

Inductive Method

Deriving general theories from concrete observations.

Myth vs. Logos

• Myth: Explanations of reality from a religious or literary perspective.
• Logos: The rational, scientific, and philosophical approach; explaining things through the lens of nature.

Key Philosophical Concepts

• Transcendental Method: A way of thinking that seeks to discover the conditions necessary for an event to occur.
• Truth of Reason: A truth that does not require empirical verification.
• Truth of Fact: A truth that must be observed and verified.
• Learning: The relationship established when a subject approaches an object; knowledge is immanent.
• Knowing: The conceptualization of a thing that allows us to define it.