After my first week of classes, I was quite surprised that philosophy turned out to be my most intriguing and thought provoking course. Why? Well honestly I never actually knew nor did I ever take the time to research the true definition of philosophy. But through assigned readings and Dr. Lanye’s lectures, I now understand that philosophy is the love and pursuit of wisdom through intellectual means. Ironically, I also learned that my previous ignorance to the subject plays a role in the study itself. Bertrand Russell’s “The Problems of Philosophy” defines philosophy as a critical analysis of assumptions and concrete beliefs. Throughout my life, I have continuously questioned the reason for why things happen and simply why things are the way they are. I now realize that throughout my questioning, I was already involved in philosophical contemplation. During Friday’s class though, one particular philosophical branch we discussed fascinated me. Epistemology. Epistemology deals strictly with the nature and justification of knowledge. Can knowledge be certain? Is it even possible? How do we attain it? These are just some questions that I came away after Friday’s lecture. I’m excited to further explore the division Dr. Layne introduced between rationalism and empiricism. I’m also looking forward to analyzing more philosophical texts and learning the different forms of doing philosophy.
“Knowledge is knowing that we cannot know.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
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