Notes from 1/12

Just a note, I couldn't read some of my handwriting so parts of the notes are missing. Check back a little later for corrections/additions.

The Value of Philosophy

The Practical Man

· The practical man values the tangible because it’s useful.

· Being practical means that you are goal oriented.

· The goal oriented human values goods, and wishes to have the “good life.”

· They do not question what the “good life” is.

What Philosophy Does

· Philosophy takes a definitive answer and creates a new science. Ex: What are stars? The corresponding science would be astrology.

· The “goal” of philosophy is to discover new questions to ask.

· Philosophy enlarges self/subject. It bridges the gap between the discussed object and the subject.

What Is Philosophy

· It’s a reflective question, meaning it returns to it self.

· The definition of philosophy is a philosophical problem.

· Attitude – Passionate Searching

· Source (there’s something rather than nothing) – Wonder, Awe, Amazement

· Aim- Truth, Wisdom.

· Philosophy is a play between knowing and not knowing.

· Wonder (drive) vs. Perplexity (problem) à ask why

· There is practicality in philosophy

Kinds of Ignorance

· Double Ignorance: Believing you know when you do not, acting on conceit.

· Simple Ignorance: Recognizing your ignorance but doing nothing about it.

· Virtuous Ignorance: Recognizing your ignorance and coupling it with unique works (philosophy/asking questions).

The Origin of the Question

· You must know something in order to ask a question about it.

· Ex: What is the meaning of life? You must know what meaning is, and you must know what living is.

Definition

· Questions with definitive answers are not the domain of philosophy

What Philosophy is Not

≠ Art

· Subjective vs. objective

· Particular vs. Universal

≠ Religion/Theology

· Religion is revealed truth

· Theology is making the revealed understandable.