Ticod, Cheryl Antoinette M.

Ethics
BSN – 1A 12/03/19

INTRODUCTION TO PHILOSOPHY
BY RICHARD BROWN

What is “Philosophy”?
As what the video mentioned, that question is very difficult to answer since different
philosophers have different answers.
But was initially defined by Mr. Brown as “what people believe in”.
Pre-Philosophical Thinking
It is the way people thought about reality before philosophy was discovered. It is characterized as
the only source of knowledge and the workings of supernatural personalities as the explanation of
physical phenomenon.
Philosophical Method
Reason, argument, and observation were claimed as the true sources of knowledge about the world.
Mathematics was emphasized, especially Geometry. It was also claimed that the world was
explainable and/or rational. In other words, natural. By being natural, the appeal to the supernatural
work of the Gods is no longer an explanation.
The video also discussed the timeline on the origins of the society. Which is as follows:
10,000 to 7,000 BCE – Farming was invented. It was called an invention because it required certain
technologies for it to be done. i.e. Hoes. In these years, people were also trying to settle down.
3,500 to 3,300 BCE – Civilization began where people stopped hunting down animals and started
domesticating them. People were no longer nomads. They also learned writing. Cities were also
developed where the largest population is 1000-2000 people.
Before 600 BCE, the pre philosophical thinking dominated. A happening occurred in 1200 BCE
where the scholars believed Moses and gave us the 12 commandments which God Himself handed
to him. The commandments were about the correct rules on how to life properly. if rules were not
followed then the violator would be punished.
600 to 200 BCE (Beginnings of Western Philosophy) – Thales of Miletus in Ancient Greece was
curious about the make-up of the physical world and constantly rejected any supernatural
explanations on the things he questions about. He believed that one should give a naturalistic
answer using argument and reason. A few of the things he was curious about was the shape of the
earth and if everything was made of water which he believed was the reason the earth “floats”.
Philosophy
Came from the Greek words “Philia” and “Sophia” which means love of wisdom. it was first
suggested by Pythagoras (570 BCE). A group of people also identified themselves as “Sophists”
which is composed of philosophers who were united by a couple of themes like “wise person”.
They would only teach for money and are often skeptics.
Branches of Philosophy:
 METAPHYSICS – Study of the ultimate nature of reality.
- Questions whether there are fundamental parts out of which everything
else is made.
 EPISTEMOLOGY – Study of knowledge.
 ETHICS – Study of right or wrong and good or bad.
 LOGIC – Study of good or bad reasoning.